In today’s CCNASWP 17 session, the committee covered three agenda items including:

A panel discussion around Indigenous foods–Food Safety and One Health Considerations

Matters arising from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Codex Subsidiary bodies

Food Safety and quality situations in the region

As the world continues to face challenges related to food security and environmental sustainability, it is important to learn from and support indigenous food systems. Embracing indigenous food systems can contribute positively to better human and planetary health.

During the panel discussion, Dr Vincent Lal from the University of the South Pacific, highlighted the need to implement appropriate strategies for the successful integration of indigenous food into formal markets and to exploit potential market and trade opportunities both at the national and international levels.

Dr Lal further expressed areas of opportunities that need to be strengthened which include:

Supporting value chain development for indigenous food from production to processing and marketing

Having market access and appropriate infrastructure

Providing capacity building where we need to trade, indigenous produce on but not limited to food safety and quality standards

Policy support and consumer education through raising awareness amongst consumers about the nutritional, cultural, and environmental benefits of indigenous food.

Today’s session also featured an open debate on the region’s food safety and quality, highlighting emerging issues impacting food safety for members to consider.

-Ends-

• ← Go to all Press Releases