1. Introduction

The World Food Safety Day seminar, held in Islamabad on June 7, 2023, focused on raising awareness about the critical importance of food safety. The seminar attracted key stakeholders from various sectors, including government, industry, academia, and international organizations. The discussions were centered around improving food safety standards in Pakistan, addressing emerging challenges, and ensuring the protection of consumers through collaborative efforts.

2. Inaugural Session

The event began with a welcome address by Rana Awais Khan, Chairman of the National Alliance for Safe Food (NAFS), emphasizing the need for collective action to ensure food safety and protect public health. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government, industry, and international partners in addressing food safety issues.

Key officials also addressed the audience:

• Deputy Commissioner Islamabad / Director Islamabad Food Authority discussed the role of governmental efforts in enhancing food safety regulations and enforcing compliance.
• Mr. Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industries, stressed the need for businesses to adopt food safety practices to ensure consumer protection and maintain competitiveness in the market.
• Muhammad Saqib Naeem, Head of Marketing at A&Z Agro Industries, focused on the importance of marketing safe food products and maintaining public trust in the food supply chain.
• Syed Saud Ahmed Pasha, Director of Corporate Affairs at Friesland Campina Engro Pakistan Ltd., spoke about corporate responsibility and the role of the private sector in implementing stringent food safety measures across the supply chain.
• Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industries, emphasized the importance of food safety standards for enhancing Pakistan’s trade and export potential.

The event featured remarks from several prominent international representatives:

• His Excellency Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Bin Mazlan, High Commissioner of Malaysia, shared Malaysia’s experience with food safety regulations and offered insights into how Pakistan could learn from these efforts.
• Ms. Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, delivered the inaugural address, focusing on global food safety challenges and how Pakistan can align with international standards.
• His Excellency Jakob Linulf, Ambassador of Denmark in Pakistan, spoke about Denmark’s experience in food safety and its relevance for improving food security in Pakistan.
• Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, provided an overview of the government’s initiatives in integrating technological advancements into food safety practices.

3. Technical Session

Several presentations were delivered during the technical session:

• Dr. Zafar Mehmood, FAO-UN, provided an overview of the current food safety landscape in Pakistan, highlighting emerging challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Dr. Riasat Wasee Ullah, FAO-UN, presented on the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food sector and emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous food safety and quality standards to protect public health.

An industry perspective was provided by Mr. Farooq Hussain Shah, Plant Manager of A&Z Agro Industries, who discussed how the agro-industrial sector can play a role in ensuring high food safety standards and adapting to emerging food safety challenges.

4. Panel Discussion: “Food Safety Challenges in Pakistan: Readiness to Tackle the Unexpected”

The panel discussion, moderated by Prof. Dr. Rashid Aftab, Director of Riphah Institute of Public Policy, featured contributions from various experts in the field:

• Mr. Akhtar Bughio, Director General of Pakistan Halal Authority
• Miss Ismat Gul Khattak, Director General of Pakistan National Accreditation Council
• Dr. Tahira, Director of Islamabad Food Authority
• Mr. Rizwan Buttar, Chief Innovation Officer of ZAUQ Group
• Representatives from the Punjab Food Authority, NARC/PARC, FPCCI/ICCI

The panel explored various challenges related to food safety in Pakistan, including gaps in regulations, institutional preparedness for unexpected food safety crises, and the need for innovation in the sector. There was a consensus on the importance of adopting international certification standards to enhance food safety in Pakistan’s domestic market and for export.

5. Closing Session

In the closing session, Dr. Aamer Irshad, Assistant FAOR, delivered the final remarks, reiterating the importance of continued collaboration between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international partners in enhancing food safety in Pakistan.

Dr. Hafiz Rehan Nadeem, President of NAFS, expressed gratitude to the participants and speakers, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to ensure food safety for all.

The seminar concluded with a group photo session and a networking lunch, where participants continued discussing the key issues raised during the event.

6. Conclusion

The World Food Safety Day seminar in Islamabad provided a vital platform for discussing food safety challenges in Pakistan. The event highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve food safety standards and protect public health. The seminar’s outcomes underscored the importance of integrating scientific and technological innovations into Pakistan’s food safety framework and aligning the country’s efforts with international best practices.