New FAO guidance on risk based imported food controls

New FAO guidance on risk based imported food controls

Editor

FAO ;

Descripción

Accounting for 83% of total agricultural exports, food products are, in value, the third commodity group traded internationally, behind fuels and non pharmaceutical chemical products. A number of countries, including many developing countries, import a significant share of the food supply for their population. Some of them almost entirely rely on food imports to ensure food security. While developing their food imports, countries have progressively set up inspection measures, in order to protect the health of their populations and ensure fair practices in trade. However, over time, the higher volumes of imported foods, together with the diversification of origin and growing complexity of the technologies used for manufactured foods, have called for a revision of these control measures. Relying on a traditional approach, based on random, more or less systematic product inspection at borders, is no longer considered effective. The full set of Highlights on FAO food safety and qualit y activities is available at the following Url: <a href="http://www.fao.org/3/a-au638e/index.html">http://www.fao.org/3/a-au638e/index.html</a>.