The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has improved consumer health and boosted the trade of food in Southeast Asia through a series of multi-year projects. The projects were funded by the government of Japan and aimed at capacity building to develop and implement international food safety standards in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
ASEAN's member countries include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Within the region, capacity levels vary widely and food cultures are diverse, leading to various food safety issues. Many consumers in these countries prefer street food. Harmonizing food safety measures with Codex Alimentarius standards can help minimize trade restrictions, officials say.