Prospects of the Components of Myanmar Food Control System for Health and Trade Efficacy

Abstract

Limited functional capacity and inadequate resources of government food control are common constraints in the export success of agricultural-resource-rich developing countries, thereby resulting to less competence in international food trade. The main sources of income for majority of the population depend on and directly relate with the success of primary food production and export. Thus, governments need to invest in food control system and other segments such as commodity standards formation, consistent quantity provision, and reliable inspection and laboratory services for trading system to be efficient. This paper presents SWOT factors identification of five key components of Myanmar food control system for tracing the process of food control works improved along with external pressures brought about by globalized food trade. Due to initial development stage of standardization activity, the technical regulation information gap between national standard body and trade promotion organizations in food trade was reported. The formation of National Quality Infrastructure has been in the process since 2012. Overall, there was a huge gap between food control governed by authority and food production industries. This paper stated nine strategies as recommendations. Law enforcement and the authorities’ role in controlling should have to be reexamined for health efficacy. With regard to consumer participation, active-surveillance information flow should be encouraged so as to crack down and prevent dishonest trading and counterfeit goods productions inside the community. Finally, there were many rooms left for development of the components of the food control system for health and trade efficacy.