Papua New Guinea (PNG), like many other countries are also increasingly dependent on imported food to sustain its 10 million people. While laws and regulations for food safety exist, it is obsolete and urgently needed to be aligned to relevant global food standards including the CODEX Alimentarius.
In partnership with WHO, the PNG National Department of Health (NDoH) has developed a new Food Safety policy (final review stages) and amended the Food Sanitation Act of 1991. The NDoH is also developing plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) specific to food safety control systems and food imports, focusing on minimizing risk and safeguarding consumer health.
Series of multi-sectoral consultations were convened with relevant food safety stakeholders in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, Lae, Morobe Province and in Port Moresby, National Capital District in PNG between December 2023 and December 2024.
Stakeholders consulted includes the Lae city authority, food importers and brokers, local Kokopo market authorities, East New Britain Provincial Health Authority (PHA), Morobe PHA, National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority, National Department of Agriculture and Livestock, National Institute of Standards & Industrial Technology, PNG Customs Services. Multi-sectoral collaboration for food safety through the One Health Approach will ensure collective coordination of efforts and shared responsibility for strengthening food safety and food import control system in PNG.