Food security is the most important component of a government policy. In this context, particular importance belongs to issues of nutrition and food safety. People are entitled to expect that they consume food products are safe and fit for consumption. Food poisoning and food damaged at best unpleasant, at worst, they can be fatal or other serious hazards to human health injuries. World practice shows that outbreaks of foodborne diseases in one country reduces not only the prestige, image, setting the exclusion or suspension of its development, but also causing damage estimated unyielding as the state's economy, and in the whole region: can damage trade and Tourism, lead to loss of earnings, unemployment, migration, and lower standards of living and social conflicts.
Statistics show that the XXI century is characterized by an increase in the volume of international trade in general and food in particular, increase in the movement of goods and vehicles and people traveling abroad, which has important social and economic benefits. However, at the same time, the development of foreign economic relations is a risk factor for promotion, expansion and transmission of disease outbreaks around the world.
The Republic of Tajikistan since 2012 became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). By joining the WTO, Tajikistan will take on a number of the mandatory commitments contained in the rules, standards and the WTO agreements. Together with the commitments of Tajikistan will also receive the rights and allowing the state to take steps to develop its foreign trade interests and accelerate the integration of the world economy.
Moreover, FAO/WHO framework on risk analysis for food safety and approaches, which is base on risk, ensures compliance with the standards development process and scientific advice WTO requirements. Thus, the Commission "Codex Alimentarius" jointly established by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) sets the standards for food since 1963. Application of the standards of the Commission "Codex" at the national, international levels allow local consumers to use more safe food, as well as a guarantee of good faith for the benefit of producers and consumers of food. Research recommendations include the assessment of chemical, microbiological risks of new, emerging risks, and technologies, as well as evaluating the risks and benefits of the various processes of the food chain. In this connection, Tajikistan Government has issued a low on Food Safety (Issue of Madjlisi Oli of Tajikistan Republic, 2012, 8, p.827). This law regulates the social relations in the field of food safety in the Republic of Tajikistan, in order to protect human life and health, consumer, protection of flora and fauna and the environment.
Another of major problems of food safety is in the detection of residual substances and pollutants. The global development of world trade and tourism not exclude that residues and contaminants in food in one country can affect the health of citizens in other countries. Tajikistan for the time of independence (since 1992) is import-dependent country in many positions of the commodity nomenclature, including those items that are used in the production, processing and export directed food. Products in Tajikistan comes in part not on the basis of quality, and at low cost and low-cost parameters, which does not exclude imports from the countries of the "third" world, which are widely used or applied the effects of hazardous chemicals.
Thus, the negative health effects may result from both acute and chronic exposure to chemicals in food, and may include damage to the kidneys and liver, impaired fetal development, the endocrine system, immunotoxicity and cancer.
Of particular concern is the impact of hazardous chemicals that enter the body through food, to such vulnerable groups of society, such as pregnant women, children and the elderly. Different populations of different chemicals are absorbed, and need risk assessment for people most susceptible to their action.
Another problem for Tajikistan is insufficient control of imported food as well as exports one because of:
- Weak institutional development on food product control;
- A weak legal framework in terms of regulation and use of chemical contaminants and substances;
- Lack of facilities and equipments for analytical laboratories.
In course of above mentioned problems the project goal is elaboration and application of modern analyses techniques for chemical and toxin detection in foodstuffs and monitoring of possible contamination step in food chain to further create an ecosystem and risk analysis model in this field.
To implement those goals the project tasks will include the following steps:
1. An arrangement of independent research laboratory basis for providing of analyses of food products in the food supply chain from farm to end user:
- Create a logistical base for research (purchase of equipment, materials, a laboratory facility);
- Training of staff.
2. Analysis of the frequency of foodborne disease in the RT for the last 5 years:
- Collection of statistical data and information on the diseases associated with food poisoning;
- Classification the data into categories and causes of disease;
- Assessment for food poisoning risks, recommendations and suggestions for prevention.
3. Analysis of chemical contamination in food:
- determination of nitrate ions in vegetables, fruits, melons and nitrite ions in meat products;
- determination of toxic elements Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Bi, Ni, Co, Hg, As, Fe, Al in food, water and air in the location of food production;
- determination of persistent organic pollutants (pesticides, PCBs and dioxins) in food;
- application of new standards in the analysis of aldehydes, esters and fusel oils in alcoholic beverages.
4. Analysis of biological contaminants in food:
- determination of mycotoxins, antibiotics, hormones and stimulants in food;
- Identification of allergens (immunoglobulin E) in food.
5. Dissemination and a demonstration of the international quality standards for local food producers and consumers:
- Conduct seminars, workshops and training sessions with local producers;
- Organization of study tours to leading laboratories for certification of food products;
- Create a database and a web page on the use of international standards and norms of control and certification in the Republic of Tajikistan;
- Printing and publishing the results of the project.
6. Data base and its recommendation for further creation of ecosystem and risk analysis models.
The developed technologies will be used for chemical and toxin detection in the food products and for preparation of the recommendation for the official control agencies on reduction of possible pollution of the food products with chemicals and toxins. It can help local producers and consumers in certification of their exported food according WTO, WHO and FAO food standards. Project may be further extended for creation of ecosystem and risk analysis models.
