prijava
MOSTAR, June 7 (FENA) - In accordance with a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, 7 June is celebrated worldwide as World Food Safety Day.
The aim is to draw public attention to the importance of food safety for human health and the economy. Another goal is to encourage activities to help prevent, detect and manage food-based risks and to contribute to food security, human health, economic progress, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.
Access to sufficient quantities of safe and nutritious food is the key to preserving life and promoting health, stated the Food Safety Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the occasion.
The primary responsibility for food safety belongs to food business operators who at all stages of production, processing and distribution must ensure that the food meets the prescribed requirements.
In line with the message of World Food Safety Day, the responsibility for food safety, in addition to food business operators, is shared by governments, international organizations, producer and consumer associations, academic and research institutions and the private sector. Cooperation is needed at many levels, including cross-sectoral and international cooperation.
Alignment of food regulations with the acquis is one of the key activities of the Food Safety Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the proposal of the Agency, in cooperation with the competent authorities of the Federation of BiH, the entity of Republika Srpska and the Brčko District of BiH, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted more than 170 food safety regulations, thus harmonizing this area significantly with the EU legislation.
Specialized food control programs such as the Multi-Annual Pesticide Residue Control Program in and on food of plant and animal origin have been developed and are being jointly implemented. In addition, mechanisms have been established for the withdrawal and recall of unhealthy food, if this is found in a stage when the food has already reached the market.
In addition to the food safety segment, significant progress has been made in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the development and implementation of food quality policies in the areas of natural mineral, natural spring and table waters, designations of origin, geographical origin and guaranteed traditional food specialties, certification and labeling of products with the label "GMO-free", food for special nutritional needs and sensor analysis of olive oils.
In the coming period, in accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission, it is necessary to further improve the capacities for official food safety controls and laboratory testing of food in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(FENA) S. R.
