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World Food Safety Day Celebrated with a Large-Scale Event in Tbilisi
With the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and organized by the National Food Agency, a large-scale event dedicated to World Food Safety Day was held in Tbilisi.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr David Songulashvili, underscored the reforms implemented and the significant achievements made in food safety.
According to the Minister, the Government aims to ensure high standards of consumer protection, improve the quality of Georgian products, and enhance their competitiveness in domestic and international markets.
“Food safety remains one of the key priorities for Georgia. The Government continues to strengthen control mechanisms, expand laboratory capacities, and adopt international standards. Our goal is to ensure that Georgian products are associated with high quality, reliability, and competitiveness in domestic and international markets. In this regard, cooperation among the Government, businesses, and society is of particular importance, as it serves as a vital foundation for safeguarding consumer interests and strengthening confidence in Georgian products,” stated Mr David Songulashvili.
Participants were also addressed by the FAO Representative in Georgia, Mr Raimund Jehle, who emphasized the importance of the productive cooperation between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture in strengthening Georgia’s food safety system.
“Over the past two decades, Georgia has achieved significant progress in strengthening the food safety system. FAO is proud to have been a longstanding partner in this process, supporting the implementation of these reforms over the years. Georgia has already established a solid foundation for aligning its food safety systems with international standards, including the Codex Alimentarius. Continued investments in inspection and oversight mechanisms, risk analysis, and laboratory capacities will further strengthen consumer protection and enhance the competitiveness of Georgian agri-food products and the agro-food sector as a whole,” noted Mr Raimund Jehle.
The event brought together representatives of the executive and legislative branches of government, international organizations, academia, and the private sector. Discussions focused on the importance of food safety, the progress achieved in this area, and the remaining challenges.
As part of the World Food Safety Day celebrations, an award ceremony was held. Minister Mr David Songulashvili, FAO Representative in Georgia, Mr Raimund Jehle, Vice Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Mrs Nino Tsilosani, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Mr Gela Samkharauli, and the Head of the National Food Agency, Mr Giorgi Iakobashvili, presented awards to sector representatives for “Outstanding Contribution” and “Long-standing Successful Service.”
A variety of activities for different age groups were organized in Ilia Garden to raise public awareness. Visitors had the opportunity to explore agricultural and entrepreneurial exhibition spaces, attend local farmers’ and producers’ product fairs, participate in educational activities and masterclasses, and engage with interactive displays. Particular interest was generated by renowned chefs who prepared and presented signature dishes for tasting.
World Food Safety Day is observed annually on June 7 at the initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aiming to raise public awareness of the importance of safe food and its role in safeguarding human health. This year’s message is: “From Challenges to Solutions – Safe Food for Everyone.”