Minister Wallace Congratulates FSAI On Being Awarded The WHO's Food Safety Award, Ireland

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 01 Jul 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Ms Mary Wallace, T.D., Minister for Health Promotion and Food Safety paid tribute to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) for its contribution to Irish and international food safety, and congratulated the Authority on being presented with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Food Safety Award at the meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)* in Geneva. The award was accepted on behalf of the Authority by Mr Alan Reilly, Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

In presenting this award the WHO has identified that "the FSAI is recognised as a world leader in promoting an integrated science-based approach, which ensures the safety of food along the entire food chain continuum. The approach undertaken by FSAI is consistent with the goals highlighted by the 2007 Beijing Declaration on Food Safety. Aware that food safety problems can only be tackled through close international collaboration, FSAI has actively assisted other countries, often in collaboration with WHO and other international organizations with food safety mandates, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to improve the management of food safety. FSAI has also actively participated in the Codex Alimentarius Commission and has provided support to promote the effective participation of developing countries in work of the Commission. Through this award, WHO would like to recognize the international contributions made by FSAI to promote food safety in the global community."

*The CAC is a joint intergovernmental body of the WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) that sets global food standards. The CAC represents over 99% of the world's population; 176 countries are members and there are more than 200 observer organisations.

Department of Health and Children, Ireland