INFORMATION UPDATE
The First Egyptian Global Food Safety Symposium (EGFoSS) co-organized by the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS) in Partnership with the National Food Safety Authority Kicks Off Celebrations of World Food Safety Day for 2024
Cairo, 31 May 2024
Cairo witnessed the conclusion of the first meeting of the Egyptian Global Food Safety Symposium (EGFoSS) Series, co-organized by the National Food Safety Authority of Egypt (NFSA) in partnership with the Egyptian Chamber of Food Industries (CFI), in collaboration with International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) and its disciplinary organisation for Food Regulatory Science, the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS).
This event was organized on the margins of the “2024 World Food Safety Day”. It gathered food safety opinion leaders and experts from Egypt and around the world and was opened by His Excellency Dr. Ali El-Moselhi, Minister of Supply and Internal Trading of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The 2024 Symposium was themed “Modernizing Egypt’s food regulatory system as an engine for the development of the food and agri-food sector”, considering the vital importance of this production sector to the Egyptian Economy.
“The broad representation from partners representing the food industry, academia, food competent authorities and international organizations as well as the level of participation and engagement witnessed during this event is an illustration of the collaborative nature of food safety solutions, emphasising the importance of food safety to all, as “Everyone’s Business”” declared Prof. Samuel Godefroy, Professor of Food Risk Analysis and Regulatory Policies at Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, President Elect of IUFoST and current President of GFoRSS. “The symposium outcomes calling for added investments in food safety science disciplines with emphasis on competency development in food risk assessment aligns with the strategic objectives and future directions of our society. We are committed to continuing our investments in these disciplines in the Arab region, and to strengthening our partnership with NFSA and other food regulators from the region” added Prof. Godefroy.
Speaking at the opening of Symposium, Ms. Judith Meech, Secretary General of IUFoST declared: “This Global Food Safety Symposium is a shining example of food science in action, of bringing together expertise from Egypt and its surroundings to discuss food safety solutions and prevent future issues. IUFoST and its disciplinary Group, GFoRSS, are proud to be partners in this endeavor and to contribute to supporting the food safety science community in Egypt and in the region, aiming to sustain robust, science based and resilient food systems for all citizens of Egypt, the region and beyond.”
Dr. Tareq El-Houby, Chairman of NFSA contributed to several sessions of the Symposium with open discussions with stakeholders representing academia, other Egyptian competent authorities and government organizations as well food industry from Egypt and from around the world. These discussions were all public and streamed live during the event, to ensure the broadest participation of Egyptian and international stakeholders. Dr. El-houby indicated that “The organisation of this event, in an open and transparent manner and with the involvement of so many NFSA partners is in direct alignment with the Vision expressed through NFSA’s Strategy for 2023-26, aiming to be A leading science-based food regulatory authority in Africa and the Middle East, developing and implementing food control programs that effectively serve protecting consumer’s health, and create an environment appropriate for improving the performance of food and agrifood sector of the Arab Republic of Egypt, as well as building trust in Egyptian food products at both national and international level.”
The organization of this global food safety symposium in Cairo kicks off a series of events that IUFoST and GFoRSS are planning in the coming period and would showcase the contribution of both organizations to the celebrations of World Food Safety Day timed for June 7th of every year and that generally continue during the entire month of June.
For more information on the Egyptian Global Food Safety Symposium visit EGFoSS.org
