|
Keynote Speech
Topic: "Global Trends in Food Safety and the
Role of FAO - Asian Perspective"
Speaker: Biplab K. Nandi, Senior Food and
Nutrition Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia
and the Pacific, United Nations
Abstract
Participation in global trade with food and
agricultural products is crucial for developing
countries because it contributes to the
eradication of food insecurity and rural
poverty. However, increasing diversity and
volume of trade in food and agricultural
products, together with changing agricultural
practices, is a key contributor in the
cross-border spread of food safety hazards.
At the national as well as
international level food laws and regulations
including food safety standards have to an
increasing extent been set up in order to
protect the consumer from hazards related to
contaminated and adulterated foods. In recent
years the framework for food safety standards
setting have taken new directions toward a risk
based approach under the framework of
biosecurity.
FAO attaches high priority to
supporting the establishment and implementation
of international frameworks in the area of food
safety that strengthen consumer protection and
facilitate global trade. This includes the work
of the Codex Alimentarius Commission as well as
capacity building activities in various
developing countries worldwide.
Biography
Dr. Nandi is Senior Food and Nutrition
Officer in the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations. Posted at FAO’s Regional
Office for Asia and the Pacific, he is
responsible for the planning, implementation and
coordination of food and nutrition projects and
programmes in the region which covers as many as
46 countries. Dr. Nandi’s skill and perseverance
have produced successful results in promoting
food safety and nutrition activities in the
Region. He feels strongly that food based
approach is one of the most appropriate
mechanisms to achieve household food and
nutrition security. Access to safe food in all
its forms is a prerequisite in this regard. His
major areas of interest include nutrition
education including consumer protection,
household food security and nutrition besides
food quality and safety. Prior to joining FAO in
1993, he served the Government of India for
about 20 years in the Ministry of Health and in
the Ministry of Food in various capacities.<back>
| 
