Encouraging more food business operators to comply with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) based on Codex Alimentarius, Mekong Institute (MI), through its PROSAFE Project, organized the online Regional Training Program on Food Safety Management Tools in Food Manufacturing from May 23 to 27, 2022. 

“Consumers’ expectations and demands place important responsibilities on the people who work with food. Hence, it is important for the food workers to know how to protect the food from hazards that might cause injury or illness to the consumers,” said Ms. Maria Theresa Medialdia, Director of Agricultural Development and Commercialization Department of MI, during her opening remarks. She highlighted that investing in food safety management will not only ensure that food is safe to eat but will also build on the trust of consumers.

Attended by 19 participants from Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, the five-day course presented strategies to manage food safety hazards in the production and processing of high quality and safe products using the General Principles of Food Hygiene. A total of 14 sessions were delivered for the food business operators and representatives of government agencies to gain insights and knowledge for them to conform and comply with food safety requirements and regulations. At the end of the course, graduates presented and submitted 15 action plans related to development of guidelines, formation of an audit team, delivery of training programs, and awareness raising events.

This training program is the fourth GMP course which was delivered under the PROSAFE project since 2016. Supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme, the project is aimed at strengthening food safety capabilities of agri-food supply chain stakeholders in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam.