A training workshop for officers of competent authorities and experts on food safety sampling from ASEAN Member States was held on 21st – 25th February 2022. More than 60 participants from all 10 ASEAN Member States joined the training. The training comprised of lectures, case studies and group exercises with the objective of providing participants with first hand practical knowledge.
Food safety sampling is critical not only to routine food safety inspections but also the management of food borne disease outbreak investigations and related controls. The training participants included officials and experts nominated by Member States who are involved in conducting food safety sampling, food borne disease investigations, conducting surveillance and controls.
This event is a follow-up on training on managing food borne diseases outbreaks that was conducted in April of 2021 and is the fourth in the series of courses developed by ARISE Plus with the objective of increasing the capacity of the ASEAN Member States’ national competent authorities in establishing and enhancing food safety.
The training program will aid the participants to be better equipped in application of sampling methods and strategies and learn and apply techniques from global best practices and aid food safety officials to assess the existing strategies applied to food safety sampling for improvements.
Due to the positive feedback from participants and requests, further training are planned on food safety risk communications and food toxicology. It is intended that these trainings will result not only in trained personnel but additionally provide ASEAN with a set of training modules on areas of specific importance to food safety in ASEAN as the training course materials are for future re-use by ASEAN Member States.
