Workshop on food safety risk assessment strengthens capacity in informal value chains in Southeast Asia

A pre-conference workshop with training on food safety risk assessment for informal value chains was held on 16-17 September 2024, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Co-hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety Centre for Asia Pacific (VPHCAP), and Freie Universitaet Berlin (FUB), the event brought together 17 food safety experts, authorities, and researchers from eight low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to enhance their capabilities in assessing and managing food safety risks in informal value chains.

One of the key outcomes of the training workshop was the successful introduction of risk analysis frameworks, with a specific focus on risk assessment, management, and communication. Participants learned the critical differences between hazards and risks, which are important for managing food safety in traditional markets where informal value chains dominate. Through hands-on training, participants were able to apply risk assessment methodologies to real-life case studies, equipping them with practical tools to assess food safety hazards in their countries.

The workshop significantly enhanced the participants' ability to conduct qualitative and semi-quantitative risk assessments for prioritized hazards in various food products. The collaborative exercises and group discussions helped build national networks for implementing these frameworks, contributing to improved food safety governance in LMICs. Participants expressed interest in expanding future workshops, having longer time, and more frequence of organizing basic to advance level on risk assessment and to cover more in-depth discussions on risk management and communication.

Additionally, the workshop emphasized the importance of continuous training in food safety risk assessment, with a focus on incorporating molecular data into next-generation assessments. This forward-thinking approach will enable participants to address emerging food safety challenges more effectively and implement stronger risk management strategies in their countries.

Following the workshop, ILRI’s Fred Unger and Sinh Dang participated in the International Society for Animal Hygiene (ISAH)-SEAOHUN Joint International Conference on One Health in Action from 18-20 September 2024. They delivered key presentations on sustainable livestock systems in LMICs and antibiotic use in chicken production in Vietnam. Their insights highlighted the importance of addressing food safety and sustainability challenges in the context of global population growth and food insecurity. 

In addition, ILRI and partners presented recent research in a poster session. Trang Le, an ILRI PhD student, received the Best Poster Award for her research on the early outcomes of a food safety training intervention among pork vendors in traditional markets in Vietnam. Her work highlighted the effectiveness of targeted interventions in enhancing food safety practices within informal value chains, aligning with the workshop’s broader goals. This award grants her the opportunity to attend the next ISAH conference in 2026 in Belgium, with the registration fee waived.

Several side meetings were also held among ILRI's partners, such as Free University of Berlin (FUB), SEAOHUN, and VPHCAP to explore ways to strengthen food safety research, and capacity building in the region. A potential new partnership was explored with academic leaders from Khon Kaen University, Faculty of Agriculture (KKU, AG FAC) on greenhouse gas emission livestock research. 

ILRI’s participation in the events is funded by the CGIAR One Health Initiative and the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program.