The Brunei Darussalam Food Authority (BDFA) recently attended the 40th Meeting of the Prepared Foodstuff Product Working Group (PFPWG). This Meeting was preceded by the 13th Meeting of the Joint Sectoral Committee on MRA for Inspection and Certification Systems on Food Hygiene for Prepared Foodstuff Products (JSC MRA on PF), as well as the 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Harmonisation of Prepared Foodstuff Standards (ACHPFS), which took place in April 2025.
The meetings were held via video conferences.
THE 40TH MEETING OF THE PREPARED FOODSTUFF PRODUCT WORKING GROUP (PFPWG) THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCE
8 – 9 MAY 2025
The Prepared Foodstuffs Product Working Group (PFPWG) was established by the ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) in 2003 tasked to facilitate trade in the prepared foodstuffs sector in ASEAN including the implementation of the measures for standards and conformance for the prepared foodstuff products under the Roadmap for Priority Integration Sectors.
THE 13TH MEETING OF THE JOINT SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON MRA FOR INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS ON FOOD HYGIENE FOR PREPARED FOODSTUFF PRODUCTS (JSC MRA ON PF)
21 – 22 APRIL 2025
The Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Inspection and Certification System on Food Hygiene for Prepared Foodstuff Product is currently being finalized. The MRA will eliminate the duplication of inspection and certification requirements on food hygiene imposed by the regulations of the importing country, which will facilitate time to market the product and cost savings. As a measure to ensure food safety in the trade of prepared foodstuff, development of ASEAN regulatory framework for food safety are also underway.
THE 11TH MEETING OF THE ASEAN COMMITTEE ON HARMONISATION OF PREPARED FOODSTUFF STANDARDS (ACHPFS)
28 – 29 APRIL 2025
The PFPWG established an ASEAN Committee for Harmonisation of Prepared Foodstuff Standards (AC HPFS) to support the harmonisation of food safety standards as a part of its initiatives in removing technical barriers to trade in prepared foodstuffs. The harmonisation of standards and technical requirements related to the safety and quality of food products forms the foundation for the integration of the prepared foodstuff sector in the region. At present, AMS have completed and agreed on ASEAN guidelines on food hygiene, import/export certification, accreditation for food import and export inspection, and food control systems. The harmonisation of food safety standards for food additives, food contaminants, and food contact materials are currently underway.