Belarus to adopt new approach to food safety

Belarus is working on a new food safety system termed from farm to table, similar to that applied in the EU.

On 1 January 2011, technical regulations on milk, dairy products, and pre-packed foods will be introduced in Belarus, according to the State Committee for Standardisation.

The system of technical regulations will encompass seven technical regulations and the related state standards. These documents will help create the food safety system from farm to table, similar to that used in the EU.

These regulations govern the general safety of foodstuffs, fat-and-oil products, meat and meat products, requirements for pre-packed products, bottled water, and the safety of baby foods.

The technical regulations on milk and dairy products and their safety are based on the EU food safety standards and the federal law of Russia ''Technical regulations on milk and dairy products''.

The document was developed by the State Committee for Standardisation, Belarusian State Institute for Standardisation and Certification, the task group composed of representatives of the Health Ministry, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and a number of domestic dairy producers. The technical regulation extends to Belarus-made milk and dairy products and the basic components used in milk processing.