Building a safer food future: Papua New Guinea and WHO unite multisectoral stakeholders to enhance food safety and public health

13 March 2025

Papua New Guinea (PNG), like many other countries, is increasingly dependent on imported food. While national laws and regulations for food safety exist, they are obsolete and urgently need to be aligned to relevant regional and global food standards, including the CODEX Alimentarius.

In partnership with WHO, the PNG National Department of Health (NDoH) has developed a new Food Safety policy and amended the Food Sanitation Act of 1991. The NDoH is also developing plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) specific to food safety control systems and food imports, focusing on minimizing risk and safeguarding consumer health.

A series of multisectoral consultations, convened in 2023-2024, involved relevant food safety stakeholders at national and subnational levels: Kokopo, East New Britain Province, Lae, Morobe Province and Port Moresby. Stakeholders included two city authorities, food importers and brokers, East New Britain Market Authority, East New Britain Provincial Health Authority (PHA), Morobe PHA, National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority, National Department of Agriculture and Livestock, National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology, and PNG Customs Services.

Multisectoral collaboration for food safety through the One Health approach will ensure collective coordination of efforts and shared responsibility for strengthening food safety and food import control systems in PNG.

WHO/ Lovai W
Mr. Gau Gau, (acting) Executive Officer, Food Sanitation Council and Secretariat, National Department of Health, participates in multisectoral consultations to strengthen food safety and food import control systems in PNG.

Gau Gau, (acting) Executive Officer, Food Sanitation Council and Secretariat, National Department of Health

“The Food Sanitation Council (FSC) and its Secretariat are established under the ‘Food Sanitation Act 1991’. The FSC operates as the overarching watchdog for food safety in PNG. It is mandated to hold regulatory authorities and food business accountable, administer the Food Sanitation Act (1991), prevent fraudulent practices and ensure safe food supply throughout the food supply chain.”

Gina Zambuna, Senior Provincial Environment Health Officer, Morobe PHA participates in multisectoral consultations to strengthen food safety and food import control systems in PNG.

Gina Zambuna, Senior Provincial Environment Health Officer, Morobe PHA

"Food safety is crucial for protecting public health. We try to enforce standards and regulations to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure that the food reaching our communities is safe. We are largely responsive to reports or complains from the public, but are working to actively encourage routine checks and regular site visits to monitor food."

WHO/ Lovai W
John Yukil, Regional Director, Papua New Guinea Customs, East New Britain Province participates in multisectoral consultations to strengthen food safety and food import control systems in PNG.

John Yukil, Regional Director, Papua New Guinea Customs, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea

"Our role is vital in ensuring that all import and export comply with safety regulations. And this is important especially for food which may lead to public health emergencies. Through inspections and routine monitoring, and by following standard protocols, we help safeguard public health and maintain the integrity of our food supply chain.”

WHO/ Lovai W
Dorothy Pagru, Animal Health officer, National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA), East New Britain participates in multisectoral consultations to strengthen food safety and food import control systems in PNG.

Dorothy Pagru, Animal Health officer, National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority East New Britain

“We ensure compliance with regulations; this means making sure that imported food products meet safety standards and are from certified sources. By conducting inspections and certification, we protect PNG’s food supply from potential hazards and support the health and well-being of communities."

WHO/ Lovai W
Benson Marubat, EnvironmentalHealth and Safety Officer, East New Britain province, Kokopo City Authority participates in multisectoral consultations to strengthen food safety and food import control systems in PNG.

Benson Marubat, Environmental Health and Safety Officer, East New Britain province, Kokopo City Authority

"We have our own checklist and do monthly routine inspections with business houses and even the local markets to ensure food safety is a top priority. By enforcing strict hygiene and safety standards, we help protect our community from food-related sickness and ensure that the food sold here is safe and healthy for everyone."

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