GLOBAL – The Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) Foundation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have signed a trust fund agreement to promote food safety from farm to fork in low- and middle-income countries.
The project, which runs for an initial period of three years, aims to develop robust food safety systems in selected low- and middle-income countries. This is through capacity-building activities to reduce the socio-economic impact of food-borne diseases.
“Giving back is a key element to achieving FSSC’s vision for creating a better world. The partnership with UNIDO forms an integral part of our giving-back strategy,” Aldin Hilbrands, Director General of the Foundation FSSC.
Each year, two selected low- and middle-income countries will receive support in creating a food safety culture at different levels.
From food safety practitioners and small and medium enterprises to national food associations and food safety authorities, the aim is to ensure that the food they make or control is safe for local consumption.
Hilbrands revealed that besides the partnership to support food safety capacity building for local production and consumption in developing countries, Foundation FSSC also participates actively by sharing knowledge to support the local development of strengthened food safety systems.
FSSC is a global, non-profit and independent scheme owner that implements ISO-based management systems for global food safety in the consumer goods industry.
UNIDO joining hands with FSSC will have a synergetic effect on accelerating and scaling up its development impact, as part of the Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development approach.
The project, which runs for an initial period of three years, aims to develop robust food safety systems in selected low- and middle-income countries.
The project will donate FSSC’s available funds and provide knowledge resources to support food safety capacity building for local production and consumption in developing countries. Foundation FSSC will join existing technical cooperation projects and new joint projects.
“UNIDO has a strong track record in promoting food safety along the entire value chain through effective food safety capacity building initiatives and is committed to partner with FSSC for reducing the socioeconomic impact of foodborne diseases in selected low- and middle-income countries,” said Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento, Managing Director, UNIDO.
According to UNIDO’s MD, global food safety is a shared responsibility which requires collaboration and partnerships among all involved in the food production and distribution, and among all concerned international organizations, countries and the business sector.
Through a range of technical cooperation services targeted at food and non-food sectors, UNIDO’s Department of Agribusiness assists developing countries to add value to their agricultural output.
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