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“ We have great relationships with these international standard setting bodies because much of what we ’ re doing is harmonising food safety expectations which fits in with the WTO ’ s push to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers ”
— Mike Robach , Chair of the GFSI ’ s Board of Directors
ASEAN Best Growth Company of 2016 . “ A small company doesn ’ t need to compromise on food safety ,” maintains Mah . Speaking at the Tokyo conference , Mike Taylor , former US FDA Deputy Commissioner , applauded the GFSI ’ s ability to provide a stepping stone for emerging businesses like these to succeed .
“ This is a time for optimism ,” he declared , “ a remarkable time for food safety around the world . Private responsibility can ’ t take the place of public oversight , and no amount of regulation can make food safe without the private sector taking responsibility .” To learn how your business might benefit , check out the organisation ’ s website to find out more about a GFSI Focus Day hosted by a Local Group near you .
A core strategic initiative for the GFSI is to deepen its relationships with food safety regulators which in turn will aid the companies it advises in their quest to deliver continued improvement . “ We started this back in 2016 with a government to business meeting at the Global Food Safety Conference in Berlin when we had 18 governments and intergovernmental organisations attend ,” remembers Robach . “ Last year in Huston we had 30 of these bodies attend . It allows us to further develop the working relationship between the private and public sectors which will grow further following this year ’ s Tokyo conference which saw over
40 governments and intergovernmental organisations in attendance .” Robach is pleased with the level of interest which has seen the GFSI strike agreements with several countries including an MOU in place with the Mexican government and working groups established with administrations in Canada , Holland , France and the UK
AUGUST 2018