BANGKOK, 22 September 2014 The Department of Health is building an ASEAN (Thailand-Laos) food safety network in collaboration with Laos PDR
The Department of Health, in collaboration with Laos PDR held an academic forum to build a food safety network, Vientiane – Nong Khai – Khon Kaen, in light of the beginning of the AEC in 2015. This is to improve tourists’ confidence in consuming safe and hygienically prepared food.
The forum was held at Asawan Hotel, Nong Khai Province.
Narong Saiwong, M.D., Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health presided over the opening ceremony of the academic forum on safe food. Health Center 6, Khon Khaen, launched the Thailand-Laos food safety project in 2013 and carried it into 2014 so as to bring about collaborative guidelines and the development of assessment criteria for Thailand-Laos food safety in the two countries. The forum considered appointing a tripartite committee within the frame work of Food Safety Collaboration, to assess restaurants in front line areas, especially in Nong Khai, and Vientiane, to prepare them for the ASEAN Economic Community, under 15 assessments.
Dr. Narong added that the Department of Health has already used the criteria to audit eight restaurants in prominent areas of both countries and from 40 bacteria inspection examples, found contamination of kitchen ware, especially of chopping boards, and the cook’s and assistant cook’s hands. No Formalin, Borax, or preservative contamination was found in 45 food samples.
Meanwhile, the Thai-Laos inspection committee has suggested to restaurant owners the regular use of chopping board covers, a pedal opening waste container and for the cook and assistant cook to wash their hands more thoroughly before preparing food. All the restaurants are willing to improve the quality of their operation, added Dr. Narong.
The Department of Health deputy director also mentioned that after launching the AEC, each country’s economic situation would be improved, which is why all related departments must be aware of food safety for everyone to prevent infections of the digestive system.
