Mekong Institute (MI), in collaboration with the Food and Drug Department (FDD) under the Ministry of Health, organized a food safety workshop entitled “Lao Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) Standard: Implementation and Updates” to celebrate World Food Safety Day on June 7, 2023 in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR).
The workshop provided valuable knowledge, assistance, and guidance on the implementation of the updated GHP document, which is based on the Codex Alimentarius. Food business operators and government officials in Lao PDR received guidance on the updates to the regulations, which are expected to be officially enforced in the near future.
Dr. Viengxay Vansilalom, Deputy Director General of FDD, spoke about the importance of ensuring food safety during his welcome remarks. She emphasized the significance of complying with food safety standards to produce safe and quality food for consumers and contribute to the strengthening of the Lao PDR economy.
Given the recent revision of the General Principles of Food Hygiene by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene, the workshop was timely and informative. The workshop opened up an opportunity for food safety professionals to reflect on the country’s global commitment to enhancing food safety standards and compliance.
The event was a significant milestone in the continued efforts to improve food safety and hygiene practices in Lao PDR and the surrounding region. It also highlighted the importance of working together to achieve a shared goal of safer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems for all.
Spearheaded by the PROSAFE Food Safety Network as one of the activities under the PROSAFE or Promoting Food Safety for Everyone project, the workshop is one of the project’s initiatives in creating a platform for stakeholders to convene, engage in discussions, and exchange expertise, ultimately fostering food safety across individual countries and the region as a whole. A New Zealand Aid Programme-funded project, PROSAFE aims to strengthen the food safety capabilities of agri-food supply chain stakeholders in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV) by reinforcing public-private sector cooperation through an integrated approach to food safety.
