MALACCA: The Health Ministry's Food Safety and Quality Division will be transformed into the Food Safety Authority which is independent and autonomous, said Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya.
The Deputy Health Minister said the transformation played an important role in enhancing the effectiveness of the body in tackling issues pertaining to food safety and quality, which is perceived to be increasingly challenging now.
He said that by becoming an independent and autonomous body, it could forge cooperation on safety and quality with equivalent agencies throughout the world.
"This transformation is in line with transformations carried out by other countries worldwide. However, the process is still at the discussion stage and many areas have yet to be scrutinised including the enforcement factor," he said at a press conference, here Monday.
Earlier, Dr Hilmi officially opened the 24th Session of The Codex Committee On Fats and Oils which was also attended by the Senior Director of the Food Safety and Quality Division, Noraini Mohd Othman. - Bernama
