Implementation in the Spotlight at GFSI's 7th China Focus Day

PARIS, November 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Amidst ASEAN and APEC meetings, November also saw industry and government leaders from China and abroad descend on Shanghai, seeking to harness the benefits of the "GFSI approach." The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) hosted its 7th China Focus Day on 6 November, drawing 360 food industry stakeholders to explore how implementing GFSI tools and principles can pave the way toward safer food and better business.

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Implementation was top of mind throughout the packed Focus Day programme, where it was abundantly clear that GFSI is not a talk shop. Speakers and delegates alike illustrated action for improved food safety throughout the supply chain, sharing concrete case studies and gleaning best practice to take home and implement in their own operations.

GFSI as a "Food Safety Passport" in a Changing World

The food industry is experiencing rapid and disruptive change, and speakers at the GFSI China Focus Day revealed just how high the stakes are in their region. This was perhaps best summed up by Zaotian WAN, Vice President of COFCO and GFSI Board Member: "From a domestic perspective, China is shifting from high-speed growth to a new stage of high-quality development. From an international perspective, under the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, a new pattern of comprehensive cooperation and openness is taking shape, which is an important opportunity for the international development of China's food industry."

Speakers painted the current economic background as a heightened opportunity for the industry to leverage GFSI to raise consumer trust in the safety of food purchased locally and around the world. They also demonstrated how GFSI helps simplify international trade and compliance exercises, build food safety capabilities and strengthen the supply chain.

GFSI Knowledge Sharing at Work on Local and Global Levels

The Focus Day also saw extensive participation from the public sector, who have actively joined GFSI-lead harmonisation and collaboration for food safety beyond borders and barriers. Now more than ever, the private and public sectors are both looking to GFSI as a partner of choice in this global effort for safe food for consumers everywhere.

The one-day event revealed the year-round work lead by the GFSI China Local Group, who in addition to organising the annual Focus Day, work tirelessly to drive food safety advancements throughout the year as their latest progress reportdemonstrates. Indeed, the China Local Group is a success story for GFSI's modus operandi, which prioritises collaboration at both the global and local levels. While six countries were represented at the China Focus Day, Chinese delegates still held the majority. GFSI is holding its next annual GFSI Conference on 25th to 28th February 2019 in Nice, France, and its next China Focus Day on 16 October 2019 in Chengdu, China.

Press Contact:

Lisa Prévert
l.prevert@theconsumergoodsforum.com 
https://www.mygfsi.com/