The conference titled "Beyond Compliance," which convened in Colombo on March 21, 2024, aimed at fostering a robust food safety framework in Sri Lanka. The theme of the conference focused on a Public-Private Dialogue in Building a Lasting Food Safety & Quality Culture.

Hosted under the project "Best Standardized Practices for Agri-Food (BESPA – Food)," the event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industries (Industrial Development Board) and organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, with funding from the European Union.

Through collaborative efforts of 88 institutions from the private sector, a series of discussions were held from August 2023 to February 2024 to produce a Position Paper. These institutions represented various sectors including industry associations, manufacturers, exporters, primary producers, service providers, and eateries. This Position Paper envisions a cohesive national food control system to be developed through inclusive consultations of both the public and private sectors, and shall address various challenges and prioritizing public health above all.

Mr. Aakif A Wahab, CEO-Director of the Halal Accreditation Council, presented insights from a section of the Position Paper referencing a WHO report and a nationwide baseline survey by UNIDO. The reports indicated that the Sri Lankan population was prone to avoidable foodborne illnesses and that there was a lack of awareness among Food Business Operators in identifying and assessing potential hazards at various stages of food production, processing, and distribution. These facts warranted more action.

The industry's position paper underlines the importance of embedding food safety and quality principles into the fabric of Sri Lankan society. It called for a joint effort between the public and private sectors to instill a culture of food safety and quality consciousness among citizens. Mr. Wahab underscored the shared responsibility of all stakeholders along the food value chain, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, awareness, and adherence to standards to effectively mitigate food safety risks.

Among several action points deliberated were the following: educating consumers from Schools to Households about Food Safety and Quality, empowering the farming community with the knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices to enable them to harvest produce compliant with local and global standards, which would achieve better yields, and training Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on the minimum accepted level of food safety derived from good practices and other process standards. These actions would improve the competitiveness of Sri Lankan products in export and domestic markets, foster improvements in livelihoods, and enhance overall public health metrics, especially amidst the challenge of overcoming an economic crisis and rising living costs.

In conclusion, the conference served as a rallying point for stakeholders in the public and private sectors to commit to tangible actions to elevate Sri Lanka's food safety and quality culture. 

Panel Discussion by representatives & officials from: Halal Accreditation Council, All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association, All Island Diary Association, Lanka Confectionery Manufacturers Association, Industrial Development Board – Ministry of Industries, Coconut Development Authority, Consumer Affairs Authority, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Ministry of Health, Government Analyst’s Department, Department of Animal Production & Health, Sri Lanka Food Processors Association.