The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) was today presented with the prestigious WHO Food Safety Award from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva in recognition of its international contribution in promoting food safety globally. This is only the second occasion that the WHO has presented this award to an organisation for efforts concerning food safety and for its involvement in world wide food safety issues.
The WHO Food Safety Award recognises exceptional efforts in addressing food safety issues and outstanding contribution in the promotion of human health through food safety. The award specifically recognises the FSAI’s work in developing guidelines for health workers in the safe handling of powdered infant formula, in an effort to make the end product safe for infants to consume. The award also acknowledges the collaborative efforts made by the FSAI in drafting guidelines for best food hygiene management in small and medium enterprises.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mr Alan Reilly, Deputy Chief Executive, FSAI said, “The FSAI’s main objective is to attain the highest standards in food safety and we are delighted to accept this award, as it acknowledges our efforts in promoting an integrated science based approach that ensures the safety of food along the entire food chain.”
According to Dr Jorgen Schlundt, WHO Director for Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases, the FSAI has been previously cited as a model of best practice for food safety organisations in the world. “The FSAI has been actively assisting other countries – often in collaboration with WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to improve the management on food safety. The FSAI is fully aware of the importance of close international relations on tackling food safety issues.”
The approach undertaken by the FSAI is consistent with the goals highlighted by the 2007 Beijing Declaration on Food Safety which reiterated the crucial need for an international approach to solving the world food safety problems. The FSAI has also participated in the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Ireland has provided support to promote the effective participation of developing countries in the work of the Commission.
The WHO Food Safety Award recognises exceptional efforts in addressing food safety issues and outstanding contribution in the promotion of human health through food safety. The award specifically recognises the FSAI’s work in developing guidelines for health workers in the safe handling of powdered infant formula, in an effort to make the end product safe for infants to consume. The award also acknowledges the collaborative efforts made by the FSAI in drafting guidelines for best food hygiene management in small and medium enterprises.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mr Alan Reilly, Deputy Chief Executive, FSAI said, “The FSAI’s main objective is to attain the highest standards in food safety and we are delighted to accept this award, as it acknowledges our efforts in promoting an integrated science based approach that ensures the safety of food along the entire food chain.”
According to Dr Jorgen Schlundt, WHO Director for Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases, the FSAI has been previously cited as a model of best practice for food safety organisations in the world. “The FSAI has been actively assisting other countries – often in collaboration with WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to improve the management on food safety. The FSAI is fully aware of the importance of close international relations on tackling food safety issues.”
The approach undertaken by the FSAI is consistent with the goals highlighted by the 2007 Beijing Declaration on Food Safety which reiterated the crucial need for an international approach to solving the world food safety problems. The FSAI has also participated in the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Ireland has provided support to promote the effective participation of developing countries in the work of the Commission.
