Agency needed to regulate food sector

 A ROBUST, effective and internationally accepted system of quality compliance organisation is needed to regulate the food industry in the country, an expert says.

Italian expert in the food industry and international trade Prof Saverio Mannino told a workshop that a coordinated effort was needed.

It entails an appropriate legislation on food safety to protect consumers, he said.

“An efficient food safety and control system is vital to protect health and to support PNG exports to meet international markets requirements,” Mannino said. European Union ambassador to PNG Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos said: 

“With most of the food consumed in PNG still being imported, quality compliance bodies and customs have a key role to play to ensure that Papua New Guineans, and all citizens consume products that fully comply with legal food safety requirements at domestic and international level. 

“This training also provides an opportunity to improve collaboration between Government agencies and stakeholders in the food industry to satisfy food safety needs.”