News

Meeting for DG-SANTE Audit Preparation Update

The Cambodian delegation led by H.E. HAS Sareth, MAFF Secretary of State, had a fruitful meeting with representatives from the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) of the #EuropeanUnion. The progress of the collaborative works between the Fisheries Administration and the CAPFISH-Capture project with the strong commitment of the Cambodian government was highlighted, and further direction towards the EU food safety equivalence was discussed for the verification mission of DG SANTE to Cambodia. Cambodia is now in the preparation stage, and the country is planning to invite the DG-SANTE to verify the implementation of the official control system in the fisheries subsector, which is expected to perform the assessment in late 2024. It is part of the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union in Cambodia (EU).#FoodSafety

CQS Auditor Qualification Training

Ongoing Training! It's a comprehensive training programme on the qualifications of Cambodia Quality Seal CQS) auditors. The training aims to empower food inspectors from the FiA, fisheries cantonment offices, and the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC). Only the most qualified auditors will be selected to conduct CQS audits to maintain the credibility and integrity of the CQS scheme. Developed under the CAPFISH-Capture project, the CQS certification scheme is a national voluntary initiative that promotes the safer production of fish and fishery products. It not only safeguards public health but also enhances market access, increases consumer confidence, and boosts exports. The project is co-funded by the European Union in Cambodia (EU) and jointly implemented by the FiA and UNIDO.#FoodSafety

Consultation Workshop on Product Standards and Traceability System

We recently hosted a consultation workshop to discuss the current status, challenges, and opportunities surrounding product standards and traceability systems for fish and fishery products. It aimed to gather valuable input and recommendations to finalize a roadmap for the development of a traceability system and enhance existing fishery-related standards, guidelines, and practices, supporting the upcoming verification assessment by the EU General Directorate for Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE) in 2024. It’s part of the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union in Cambodia (EU) and jointly implemented by the FiA and UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization. #FoodSafety | #CambodiaQualitySeal (CQS)

Promoting Food Safety through CQS certification Scheme

H.E. Sareth HAS, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), lauded the European Union in Cambodia-funded [CAPFISH-Capture] project's impact on promoting #FoodSafety and expanding export opportunities: "The CQS certification scheme has been further developed as part of the government's effort to promote safe food for everyone and enhance access to export markets." He also expressed optimism that more CQS logos will soon be displayed on fish and fishery products in Cambodian minimarts and supermarkets. Read more: https://cambodia.un.org/.../240742-cambodia-quality-seal... #WorldFoodSafetyDay

FiA Increases Its Efforts to Promote Food Safety

“The competent enterprises that have the potential to export their products to the #EU markets will be selected and provided further support to establish a food safety standard document and traceability system to be ready for the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE) verification in 2024”, said Dr. Kuong KHOV, representing H.E. Sotha POUM, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Director General of the Fisheries Administration (FiA), at the Official Ceremony of Delivery of CQS Certificates to the Successful Fishery Processing Enterprises. អានបន្ថែម | Read more: https://cambodia.un.org/.../240742-cambodia-quality-seal...#FoodSafety | #WorldFoodSafetyDay

CQS Protect Public Health and Enhance Market Access

Bryan FORNARI, Head of Cooperation of the European Union in Cambodia, said working with the Government and the private sector to ensure higher standards of products, including #FoodSafety, opens business opportunities and creates decent jobs in the food businesses. He also added that “It also ensures the protection of all consumers from potential health risks. The EU CAPFISH programme continues to work with MAFF to improve food safety compliance so that fisheries processed products can be gradually exported from Cambodia to the EU and international markets. We are delighted to see the first concrete results of this work through the development of this Cambodia Quality Seal.” Read more: https://cambodia.un.org/.../240742-cambodia-quality-seal...#WorldFoodSafetyDay

Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS): Recognizing Cambodia’s Enterprises for Their Improved Food Safety Compliance

Phnom Penh, 03 August 2023 – The Fisheries Administration (FiA), in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), announced the awarding of CQS certificates to fishery processing enterprises in Cambodia. These enterprises have successfully met the requirements of the CQS, an initiative developed as part of the CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Development project. The CQS initiative, spearheaded by FiA and supported under the CAPFISH Capture, a project funded by European Union and implemented by UNIDO, is the first-ever food safety certification scheme in Cambodia's fisheries sector. It aims to enhance the safety and quality of fish and fishery products in post-harvest fisheries, fostering sustainable and inclusive growth within the industry. The CQS certification applies to various actors within the fisheries value chain, including processing enterprises, fishing vessels, and collecting centers (landing sites) that adhere to the required standards. By prioritizing food safety, the CQS aims to bolster consumer confidence and promote Cambodia's national brand. By aligning with the theme of World Food Safety Day 2023, Food Standards Save Lives, H.E. Sopha CHAN, Director General of the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC), Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI), emphasized that the CQS certification scheme is set to enhance the competitiveness of Cambodia’s fish and fishery products, facilitating international trade and safeguarding public health. The initial round of CQS certifications was awarded to eight post-harvest fishery enterprises that have demonstrated compliance with the rigorous requirements of the scheme. These enterprises are Leang Leng Enterprise, Ny Ieng Neng Enterprise, Samnang Sothea Enterprise, Home Taste Food, Phnom Pich Bunkhea Fish Sauce Enterprise, Thoeurn Sreyny Enterprise, Vong Dara Processing Enterprise, and Heng Hort (Sok Khim) Processing Enterprise. H.E. Sareth HAS, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), lauded the EU-funded project's impact on promoting food safety and expanding export opportunities: "The CQS certification scheme has been further developed as part of the government's effort to promote safe food for everyone and enhance access to export markets." He also expressed optimism that more CQS logos will soon be displayed on fish and fishery products in Cambodian minimarts and supermarkets. “To ensure the credibility and integrity of the CQS certification scheme, FiA and UNIDO, with support from a consulting firm called Peterson Projects & Solutions, have thoroughly developed the scheme through a comprehensive and transparent process. The CQS verification audits are conducted by well-trained auditors from FiA and relevant government agencies, ensuring the highest standards of food safety compliance,” said H.E. Sotha POUM, Delegate of the Royal Government, Director General of FiA. “The competent enterprises that have the potential to export their products to the European Union markets will be selected to provide further support to establish a food safety standard document and traceability system to be ready for the EU Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE) verification in 2024”, added H.E. Sotha POUM. Bryan FORNARI, Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Cambodia, said working with the Government and the private sector to ensure higher standards of products, including food safety, opens business opportunities and creates decent jobs in the food businesses. “It also ensures the protection of all consumers from potential health risks. The EU CAPFISH programme continues to work with MAFF to improve food safety compliance so that fisheries processed products can be gradually exported from Cambodia to the EU and international markets. We are delighted to see the first concrete results of this work through the development of this Cambodia Quality Seal.” With the CQS certification in place, Cambodia significantly strides towards becoming a champion in food safety compliance and sustainable fishing practices, benefitting local consumers and international trade. For more information, please contact: Dr. Chamnan CHHOUN, Director of the Department of Fisheries Post-harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ) of FiA: chhounchamnan@gmail.com Mr. Samruol IM, National Communication and Visibility Expert for the CAPFISH-Capture project: S.IM@unido.org Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation to Cambodia:  delegation-cambodia-ppi@eeas.europa.eu More information about the project: https://open.unido.org/projects/KH/projects/180039Project Newsletters: http://newslettercapfish-postharvest.org/achieve

CAPFISH-Capture project: A Journey Toward Global and EU Food Safety Compliance

CAPFISH-Capture project: a journey toward global and EU food safety compliance! Resulting from the successful Structured Learning Visits to Indonesia, we organized a dissemination workshop on "Food Safety Regulatory Framework and Official Control System in the Fisheries Sector: Successful Experiences of Indonesia and Implications for Cambodia" to share lessons learnt and discuss the way forward for preparing DG-SANTE audit-ready to list Cambodia as an eligible country to export fish and fishery products to the #EuropeanUnion (EU) markets in 2024. CAPFISH-Capture is currently supporting the competent authority of the រដ្ឋបាលជលផល Fisheries Administration (FiA) to establish a #FoodSafety regulatory framework and official control system in line with global and EU food safety requirements. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting initiatives in the future. #OfficialControlSystem

Structured Learning Visits to Indonesia

As part of their Structured Learning Visit on the Regulatory Framework and Official Control System of Indonesia's Fisheries Sector in Jakarta and Bali from 5 to 14 June 2023, Cambodia's official food inspectors and auditors participated in a two-day workshop hosted by the Fish Quarantine and Inspection Agency (FQIA) of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF). They also visited the FQIA Standard Testing Laboratory, a fishing port, fish landing sites, fishing vessels, hatchery and aquaculture farms, and processing units. The learning visit was organized by the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union in Cambodia (EU). #FoodSafety | #FoodSecurity

Structured Learning Visit on the Regulatory Framework and Official Control System of Indonesia’s Fisheries Sector

Through their Structured Learning Visit on the Regulatory Framework and Official Control System of Indonesia's Fisheries Sector, #Cambodia's official food inspectors and auditors were able to understand the critical success factors in implementing the official control system and exchange lessons learned. They could also discuss ways forward to prepare DG-SANTE audit-ready to list Cambodia as the eligible country to export fish and fishery products to the #EU markets in 2024. The learning visit was organized by the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union in Cambodia (EU). #FoodSafety | #FoodSecurity