JICA supports BFSA to improve food safety standards

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has long been one of Bangladesh’s most reliable friends and trusted development partners, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Chairman Md Safiqul Islam said on Tuesday.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a workshop marking the final results of the project titled “Strengthening the Inspection, Regulatory and Coordination Activities of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority” (STIRC).

The workshop was held at the BFSA training room in the capital.

The STIRC project was implemented with technical support from JICA to improve the BFSA’s inspection system, laboratory testing facilities and regulatory framework. Safiqul, an additional secretary, said the project’s achievements would provide an important foundation for building a strong, science-based and integrated food safety system in Bangladesh.

He also said the initiative would help ensure safe food at all levels through the joint efforts of government institutions, the food industry and consumers.

Speaking at the event, JICA Bangladesh Senior Representative Shoji Izumi said food safety was not limited to meeting technical standards.

It also played a direct role in protecting public health, building consumer confidence and supporting wider economic development.

Launched in 2019, the STIRC project strengthened food testing at the field level by setting up mini-laboratories in 18 district food safety offices.

It also provided operational and technical support to 64 district food safety offices and eight metropolitan units across the country.

As part of the initiative, the project reviewed existing food safety laws, rules and standards to identify areas for regulatory improvement.

It also arranged specialised training for food safety officers, laboratory analysts and food business operators.

The training covered inspection, sampling, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Japan’s 5S-Kaizen methods, which focus on workplace organisation and continuous improvement.

The project also organised hygiene awareness campaigns at schools, universities, bakeries, sweetmeat outlets and restaurants to promote safer food handling practices.

The workshop was chaired by BFSA Secretary and STIRC Project Director Srabasti Roy.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Food, development partners, industry representatives and civil society members attended the event.