Food security at the heart of debates in Fez

The 4th Maghreb Congress on Foodborne Toxi-infections was held recently in Fez on the theme: "Food safety in the face of societal changes and globalisation". The congress, organised by the Maghreb Association for Food Safety (AMSAA) in collaboration with, among others, the Pasteur Institute, the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, and the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), debated the safety of fishery products, poultry products, dairy products, plant products, water and beverages, as well as in collective catering. The participants, who examined the various aspects of food quality and safety in the five Maghreb countries, also discussed the possibilities of establishing a Maghreb guide for the investigation of collective foodborne infections. According to the ASMAA, the dietary behaviour of Maghreb populations has undergone considerable diversification and change due to economic, social, and environmental changes, adding that the globalisation of international trade has led to a strong circulation of foodstuffs between regions and continents. Faced with the risks linked to foodborne toxi-infections, monitoring, surveillance, and prevention measures must be globally coordinated according to an integrated and intersectoral approach, according to the same source. A learned society, the ASMAA brings together scientists, executives, and experts around the issue of food safety, who offer advice and expertise to public bodies, professionals, and researchers. As a reminder, the 3rd Maghreb Congress on Foodborne Toxi-infections was held in Constantine (Algeria) in October 2013 on the theme: "Environmental safety".

Provider / Source : Libération