GFSI China Focus Day highlights food safety collaboration

About 395 delegates from China, Japan, France and the USA gained new insights from leading companies in the food sector during the fifth edition of GFSI China Focus Day, an event endorsed by local agencies - CFDA (China Food and Drug Administration) and CNCA (China Certification and Accreditation Administration).

Participants included manufacturers, certification bodies, service providers, retailers, wholesalers, food service, academia, NGOs, government administration, as well as the media.

Focus Day had 44 speakers present on food safety collaboration as well as share best practices and lessons learned. The event program focused in priority issues including continuous improvement in food safety standards, audits and capability building, ultimately enabling mutual recognition within the industry and improving consumer trust in the safety of food they serve their families on a daily basis.

The China Food Safety Initiative (CFSI) leadership team presented the GFSI journey in China, culminating in the China Food Safety Initiative, and introduced the taskforces of CFSI, their objectives and their overall vision for GFSI in China. The leaders accepted awards for their achievements and dedication to food safety, presented by GFSI Board Members who sincerely thanked each and every one of them for their contributions in developing CFSI and the six taskforces.

Among feedback from delegates are requests for events that can center on food safety training. Participants also appreciated the knowledge-sharing and networking and the opportunity to be acquainted with the GFSI. They were interested in knowing more from upstream business, including farming and slaughtering enterprises, and obtaining further guidance on leveraging technology for food safety.