PHNOM PENH: The Prime Minister of Cambodia has said that food safety is very important for health, hence, to systematically improve food security and nutrition, the Royal Government has made eight recommendations for all stakeholders to implement.

All relevant ministries and institutions must continue to review and prepare legal documents related to the hygiene, safety, quality, and suitability of food, including food that is sold on the streets and in educational institutions, to support and strengthen the implementation of the law on food safety through extensive consultation with the private sector and development partners.

All relevant ministries and institutions must review the quality and safety requirements for food, along with the key guidelines, technical regulations and provisions of the law on food safety.

All ministries and institutions involved in regulating food safety and quality "from farm to table" must cooperate and provide information to facilitate the planning and preparation of national programs for implementation and analysis, in order to manage potential risks along the food production chain. This will ensure that all food safety guidelines are complied with and disseminated to the public, involving all stakeholders, including consumers.

The Council for the Rehabilitation of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with other stakeholders, organizes World Food Safety Day on 7 June every year to raise public awareness of the overwhelming benefits of food safety for health and well-being.

All relevant ministries, institutions, sub-national administrations and civil society development partners must cooperate with the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development to implement the 2030 Roadmap for Food Sustainable Development in Cambodia.

All Capital and Provincial Administrations must advise Commune / Sangkat Councils on the integration of food safety, food security and nutrition standards into the Commune / Sangkat 3-Year Development Plan and Investment Program to promote the effective implementation of the National Strategy on Food Security and Nutrition at the sub-national level.

All ministries, institutions, sub-national administrations, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and community members must join in to support the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months following a baby’s birth, and to continue breastfeeding children until they are at least two years old.

All media must also participate in widely disseminating the importance of food safety to the public, to raise understanding and cooperation with the Royal Government in implementing the law on food safety.

At the same time, the Prime Minister has also called on all citizens, local administrations, owners of handicraft companies, food businesses, supermarkets, restaurants, educational institutions, tourist resorts and street food vendors, to join together in promoting food safety.

High attention must also be paid to the production, processing, storage, and distribution of food products, both fresh and cooked, with high standards of good hygiene, safety and quality, in line with the technical standards and requirements on food hygiene and safety.

Members of the public are also asked to take care in keeping the cooking area, dining area, sinks and washing equipment used in food preparation clean, and to check that all food ingredients used are safe to eat. Fresh vegetables and fruits must be washed and meat must be cooked well before consumption.