Food Safety Agency (Azerbaijan)

The Food Safety Agency (Azerbaijan), officially the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA), is a governmental body responsible for ensuring food safety standards are met and maintained throughout the food chain in Azerbaijan. Established to protect public health and consumer interests, the agency's mandate includes the regulation, supervision, and control of food production, processing, transportation, storage, and sale.

AFSA's responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities, including:

• Developing and enforcing food safety regulations: This includes setting standards for food quality, hygiene, and labeling.
• Conducting inspections and audits: AFSA inspects food production facilities, retail outlets, and other businesses involved in the food supply chain to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Monitoring foodborne illnesses: The agency tracks and investigates outbreaks of foodborne illnesses to identify their causes and prevent future occurrences.
• Providing consumer education: AFSA informs consumers about food safety risks and how to make safe food choices.
• Collaborating with international organizations: AFSA works with international organizations and other countries to harmonize food safety standards and promote trade.
• Managing food safety risk assessments: AFSA performs risk assessments to identify potential hazards and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Issuing certifications and licenses: The agency provides certifications and licenses to food businesses that meet established safety standards.
• Overseeing the state control of food products: AFSA supervises the import, export, and local production to prevent entry/exit of unsafe food items.
• Preventative Measures: It takes preventative measures to counter bio-terrorism and adulteration of food stuffs.

AFSA's operations are intended to align with international best practices and contribute to improving the competitiveness of the Azerbaijani food industry. The agency plays a vital role in building consumer trust and ensuring that food available in Azerbaijan is safe and wholesome.