Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Robust and efficiently working food control systems is essential to adapt to the continuously changing world where new challenges emerge, as well as new opportunities to ensure food safety arises. Today, Uzbekistan is implementing a number of legislative and institutional reforms on modernizing the food safety control system.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 600 million people – almost 1 in 10 people in the world – fall ill after eating contaminated food, with 420,000 deaths occurring every year. This represents a significant global health concern.

Foodborne diseases impede socioeconomic development by straining health care systems and harming national economies, tourism, and trade. Furthermore, climate change, globalization of agricultural and food systems, and increasing complexity of production and distribution chains are intensifying threats related to food safety.

To enhance food safety, protect consumer health, ensure balanced diets and improved nutrition, and increase competitiveness in international markets, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has collaborated with the Republic of Uzbekistan to implement the project “Food control system assessment to strengthen food safety and facilitate trade”. From April 8 to10, an Inception workshop and a technical training  was held in Tashkent. Representatives from ministries and agencies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, international organizations, research institutes, and international experts participated in the event.

The following outcomes are expected within the framework of the project:

Analyzing the effectiveness of the food safety control system through an evidence-based multilateral approach.

Strengthening the knowledge of authorized personnel on food safety control and developing recommendations for the strategic development of this system in Uzbekistan.

Recognizing that food safety is a shared responsibility among different national authorities and requires a multisectoral, one health approach, Uzbekistan aims to protect consumer health, increase the competitiveness of local producers, and expand access to international markets by strengthening food safety systems.

"The Food Control System Assessment  is an important step towards creating a modern food safety system in our country," says Sherzod Umarov, Deputy Representative of FAO in Uzbekistan. "This project will help to identify  the strengths of the current food control system and the areas for improvement. The end result will be recommendations on how to modernize the system based on international standards. This will not only serve to meet the population's need for quality and safe food products but will also strengthen the position of Uzbekistan's products in international markets."

Mary Kenny, Food Safety and Consumer Protection Officer, congratulated the Government of Uzbekistan on the recent progress and advancing discussions of the new Food Law in Parliament, and added “The ongoing reforms and in-depth assessment of the food control system will improve the scientific and risk-based approaches of food safety requirements and measures in Uzbekistan. The roles and responsibilities of each involved authority, and collaboration among public authorities, private sector and science and academia will be strengthened”.

Based on the results of the food safety system assessment, a food safety strategy and national action plan for Uzbekistan will be developed. This will serve as an important foundation for ensuring food safety in the country, meeting the population's need for quality and safe food products, and increasing agricultural exports.