Food Safety: Development Prospects in Armenia with European Union’s EU4Business Initiative

On its way from farm to the market food may encounter various health hazards. Such risks may arise throughout the whole chain of production – all the way from initial to final stages.

Ensuring food safety is a key to public health as well as the economic growth of the country. Adopting best international practices enables companies to produce safer, more reliable and competitive food, thus allowing for better representation at the international market. The Law of the Republic of Armenia on Food Safety stipulates for mandatory introduction and use of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system for all food producers in Armenia. To make it possible, Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade - an EU4Business initiative extended a helping hand to local food producers. The project is implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) with the support of the European Union.

One of the ways to guarantee that the food was produced in line with proper food safety standards is the ISO 22000:2018 compliance certificate which helps establish the company as a reliable partner as early as the negotiations stage. The certificate is key as rules are different in well-established markets where wholesalers set the terms.  The certificate proves the imported food’s compliance with the best international practices, with hazard analysis and control of critical points performed. It proves that the product meets the food safety regulations of the importing country. Different countries adhere to different approaches when setting food safety indicators in terms of presence of heavy metals, hormones, antibiotics, and contamination with microorganisms. The system helps the producer control the presence of these factors in the final product.

Since 2018 within the frames of the Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade - an EU4Business initiative the International Trade Centre has provided customised consultations to ten companies helping them have their food safety systems in place. Four more companies will join the current beneficiaries by the spring of 2021.  

As part of the project all ten companies will be provided with system enforcement plans; five of them – those with greater export potential – will get trained for certification. ITC also intends to cover the costs of audit services and maintenance of certification for some companies in the next three years.

“In fact, companies are taking on major responsibility by agreeing to accept the rules of the game and get regularly supervised. In early stages the introduction of the international food safety system may increase the cost of the product; however, it makes the companies more flexible and competitive by ensuring sustainable growth and solid market positions,” Artavazd Baghdasaryan, Consultant for the International Trade Center and Integrated Management Solutions Company says.

“We separated the production of teas and dried fruits due to food safety requirements. The new factory has been constructed in line with international standards. Regardless of the market we are aiming for, having a food safety system in place is key to building the trust of the importing country,” Rita Martirosyan, Project beneficiary, Director of Ritea Company says.

Over 200 companies in Armenia have already introduced a food safety management system in compliance with the ISO 22000։2018 standard. Fifty of them continuously develop their food safety management systems. 

“Still, a piece of paper can’t be the sole proof of a company’s adherence to food safety standards. Rather, it should be at the core of the company’s policy and require daily strict adherence to sanitary and other norms established by the system,” Deputy Director of Arcolad Company Lida Devejyan says.

The principle of transparency and traceability enables to register and control the whole production chain from getting raw materials to transporting the final product.

“Certified organisations partner with tried and tested suppliers, which reduces the chances of having hazardous materials in the production process and final product. This control mechanism indirectly contributes to the continuous development of the organisations engaged in the supply chain,” the expert notes.

The introduction of ISO 22000:2018 system opens up better perspectives for Armenian companies and allows for greater flexibility when targeting international markets and partners.