The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released the “2016-2020 White Paper on Food Safety”. The new set of guidelines aims to tighten the safety examination process for food products.
The FDA says that the new white book is the result of six-months of research by specialists from multiple departments. They have studied the food safety examination processes and trends of other countries. The FDA plans to integrate the safety examination process for the entire food supply chain in the future. It hopes to take advantage of its database system in order to predict potential food hazards and protect consumers.
FDA Director General Chiang Yu-mei said Wednesday that departments such as the FDA and agriculture ministry are collaborating by sharing a food safety database in order to accurately pinpoint food hazards. “Our food examination process will absolutely not loosen up. Multiple departments are collaborating closely on the matter and the process will be more advanced," said Chiang. "Between 2016 and 2020, we will establish an integrated safety examination system that covers everything from agricultural produce to finished foods. Making sure all consumers can buy trustworthy food products is our goal.”
The FDA white book also aims to enhance the self-monitoring ability of food providers and to encourage involvement in the safety process.