JFDA symposium highlights Jordan’s progress in food security

Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) organized a scientific symposium on response to food safety emergencies, on the occasion of World Food Safety Day (WFSD), which is marked this year under the theme: "Food Safety: Prepared for the Unexpected." During the opening ceremony on Tuesday, JFDA Director General, Dr. Nizar Mhaidat, stressed the importance of preparing for unexpected food safety incidents and mitigating their effects. In this regard, he noted the administration held lectures on this occasion in several Jordanian food and health institutions to raise awareness on healthy practices for food safety and promote good practices in this regard. Mhaidat added that the JFDA's cooperation with its partners is "key" to maintain the flow of "safe" food to citizens, pointing to the Kingdom's food security in terms of "quantity and safety." Meanwhile, Chairman of the Jordanian National Centre for Epidemics and Communicable Diseases Control (JCDC), Dr. Adel Belbeisi, said the "wide" presence in the event reflects the various stakeholders' "important" role in achieving joint national plans. Belbeisi indicated that this process represents the "One Health" approach and highlights the center's role in coordinating the different sectors' efforts to direct recommendations to achieve national food security vision. The symposium activities featured multiple lectures on emergency plan to raise preparedness for foodborne disease outbreaks, consumer awareness, JFDA's response to food safety emergencies, antimicrobial resistance associated with foodborne diseases, climate change strategy for the health sector and its impact on food security, according to a JFDA statement. Source: Jordan News Agency