The Global Impact of
Unsafe Food
Unsafe food poses a significant threat worldwide, resulting
in approximately 420,000 deaths annually. It also hampers economic growth, with
low-and-middle income countries experiencing productivity losses of up to 95
billion USD each year. In Sri Lanka, a recent study by UNIDO highlighted the potential
benefits of an improved food safety landscape. By investing 30 million USD and
committing an annual net budget of 9 million USD to enhance food safety risk
management, Sri Lanka could save at least 113 lives annually and experience a
substantial boost in annual export values, projected to increase by 24% over a
decade.
Modernizing Food
Safety Policies in Sri Lanka
While Sri Lanka has a strong foundation in the public health
sector, the country's food safety landscape requires comprehensive reform. Outdated
regulations, inadequate institutional coordination, and a lack of monitoring
practices throughout the food value chain have become significant challenges.
To address these issues, the BESPA-FOOD project, a collaboration between UNIDO,
FAO, and the EU, aims to enhance Sri Lanka's food safety and quality control
system.
European Union's
Commitment to Food Safety
The European Union (EU) places great importance on
transitioning to sustainable, fair, and healthy food systems to protect the
environment and ensure everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and sustainable
food. The EU has set ambitious goals within the European Green Deal, aiming to
become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Additionally, the EU
strives to have 25% of its farmlands organic by 2030. With one of the highest
food safety standards globally, the EU's European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
provides impartial scientific advice and communicates risks associated with the
food chain. The EU's commitment to nutritious, high-quality, and safe food
ensures the foundation for healthy diets and sustainable food systems.
EU's Partnership in
Sri Lanka's Food Sector
The EU has been a longstanding partner in Sri Lanka's
agriculture and food sector, with food safety as one of its key development
priorities. Over EUR 100 million (over 31 billion rupees) has been invested
through grants to promote a more productive, market-oriented, and sustainable
agriculture and food sector in the country. The EU also supports the
improvement of competitiveness and export of Sri Lankan food products.
Currently, the EU collaborates with UNIDO and FAO in the BESPA-FOOD project,
investing 9.5 million euros to promote best practices and standards in food
production, ultimately ensuring safe food for all.
The Role of Standards
in Food Safety
Standards play a crucial role in ensuring safety, quality,
social responsibility, and sustainability in the food industry. Compliance with
standards has a significant impact on consumer safety and often becomes a legal
obligation through technical regulations. Consumerism is increasingly linked to
voluntary compliance with standards that reflect societal norms on health, fair
trade, and environmental sustainability. Sri Lanka's food industry can leverage
this trend to raise global integration and enhance export potential by applying
self-regulatory standards.
Investment in the
Food Industry for Economic Growth
Investment in the food industry can yield significant
economic benefits for Sri Lanka. UNIDO's study demonstrates that increased
investment and operating costs of USD 1.25 billion over a 10-year period can
lead to a 2.5% increase in GNP and secure employment for 122,236 individuals in
the agriculture and food industries. To unlock these benefits, exporting food
business operators (FBOs) and their suppliers must invest in upgrading food
safety conditions, equipment, staff training, and control systems. The
government should also provide support in developing instruments to facilitate
necessary financing.
Empowering the Food Industry
through Standards and Training
To ensure the self-regulatory application of standards,
UNIDO collaborates with relevant authorities to develop normative documents,
standards, guidelines, and technical specifications. UNIDO also provides
training and technical assistance to capacitate FBOs in applying food safety
and quality concepts such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
(HACCP) and quality management systems (QMS). By mainstreaming the application
of standards, UNIDO aims to empower the food industry in Sri Lanka and enhance
its representation in international standardization fora.
Facilitating
Compliance through Conformity Assessment
To enable food business operators to demonstrate compliance
with standards, UNIDO supports the development of locally accessible and
internationally recognized conformity assessment services. Through the
BESPA-FOOD project, UNIDO works on accrediting new and extended services in
testing, calibration, inspection, certification, and validation & verification.
By enhancing the capabilities of national quality infrastructure institutions
and conformity assessment bodies, FBOs can confidently comply with standards
and ensure the safety of their food products.
Policy Reforms and
Consumer Awareness for Effective Food Safety
Strengthening food safety policy in Sri Lanka requires
addressing key areas of concern. Regulatory frameworks and institutions must be
strengthened, supply chain traceability enhanced, and hygiene practices
improved at all stages of food production. Additionally, increasing consumer
awareness is crucial, empowering them to make informed choices about the food
they consume. FAO, through the BESPA-FOOD project, collaborates with the
Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to drive these policy reforms.
Investments in infrastructure, capacity building, and technological
advancements will facilitate efficient monitoring and enforcement of food
safety standards.
Collaborative Efforts
for Sustainable Food Safety
Coordinated efforts between government agencies, external
stakeholders, and competent authorities are vital for the successful
implementation of food safety policies. Formal mechanisms should be established
to improve collaboration, with the government, competent authorities, private
sector, and civil society organizations working hand in hand. The benefits of
an improved food safety policy are significant, attracting foreign investment,
expanding export market share, boosting tourism, and contributing to food
security while reducing resource strain.
Empowering Consumers
through Education
Consumer awareness and education are essential pillars of a
robust food safety policy. FAO recognizes the importance of empowering Sri
Lankan consumers with knowledge about quality certifications, labels, and
hygiene standards. Beyond individual households, schools, universities, and
community organizations play a critical role in promoting food safety
awareness. Integrating food safety education into school curriculums can instill
lifelong habits and cultivate informed consumers who prioritize their health
and well-being.
Conclusion
A robust food safety system is paramount in safeguarding
public health and fostering economic prosperity. The collaborative efforts
undertaken through initiatives like BESPA-FOOD hold the key to creating a
future where safe and nourishing food is accessible to all Sri Lankans as a
fundamental right. By prioritizing the modernization of food safety policies,
improving adherence to standards, and promoting consumer awareness, Sri Lanka
can make significant strides in enhancing its food safety and quality control
system. With a commitment to these measures, Sri Lanka can pave the way for a
thriving food industry that not only ensures the well-being of its citizens but
also contributes to economic growth and prosperity.
References
1.
European Commission. (2021). Farm to Fork
Strategy. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/food/farm2fork_en
2.
European Food Safety Authority. (n.d.). About
EFSA. Retrieved from https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/aboutefsa
3.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations. (2022). EU support for agriculture and food sector in Sri Lanka.
Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/sri-lanka/news/detail-events/en/c/1578240/
4.
United Nations Industrial Development
Organization. (2022). UNIDO & FAO Launch BESPA-FOOD Project in Sri Lanka.
Retrieved from https://www.unido.org/news/unido-fao-launch-bespa-food-project-sri-lanka
5.
United Nations Industrial Development
Organization. (2021). BESPA-FOOD Sri Lanka: Project Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/files/2021-11/BESPA-FOOD%20Sri%20Lanka%20-%20Project%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
6.
World Health Organization. (2020). Food Safety.
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-safety
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