In the new commercial reality in which customers value food free of any virus or bacteria, producers and international distribution chains are forced to reinforce their safety systems to reduce the risk of selling contaminated products.
Months ago, it was reported that in China, processed and frozen meat products arriving from abroad were detected with the presence of the coronavirus.
The rules for food companies and producers, on the management of food allergens, were approved. These rules can be adopted by the legislation of each country and thus harmonize the requirements of trading partners.
The standards, which will apply to cereals containing gluten, crustaceans and their products, eggs and egg products, fish and fishery products, peanuts, soybeans and their products, milk and milk products, and nuts and their derivatives, were approved by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC43), the body responsible for all actions related to the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme and which focus on protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in their marketing, reported the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC).
In order to reactivate economic activity in Panama, the authorities of the Ministry of Health published in the Official Journal the guidelines of strict compliance for companies and workers.
Using technology to measure the flow of visitors, reducing the furniture available in the food courts and implementing product deliveries in the parking area are part of the changes that the region's shopping centers must apply in this new reality.
Because of the threat of the spread of covid-19, since mid-March in Central America, the authorities agreed to close the shopping centers.
Allowing the operation of economic sectors with low density and lower risk of transmission of covid-19, with the respective biosecurity measures, is the request of the Panamanian business sector to begin to revive the economy.
In this scenario of health emergency and spread of covid-19, businessmen have already held talks with both the Ministry of Health (MINSA) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) on the gradual opening of activities that lead to the resumption of work in sectors that commit to do so through strict compliance with general and specific protocols approved by the authorities, explains a publication by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP).
The Nicaraguan Assembly approved a bill empowering the Institute of Protection and Health to impose economic sanctions on any agricultural producer who fails to comply with phytosanitary requirements at the time of an inspection.
The business sector considers that the law known as the "Plant Protection Act" has excessive discretion, since the Institute of Protection and Health (IPSA) cannot become judge and party in relation to complaints to the competent authority, because of the probable existence of a crime.
Authorities from both countries defined the actions they must execute in terms of sanitary requirements, so that Panama can start exporting products such as pineapple, beef, coffee and cocoa, among others, to Israel.
The entry of these Panamanian products to the Israeli market is within the framework of the Free Trade Agreement between the two economies, which was signed in May 2018 and ratified by the National Assembly of Panama in October 2019.
Through the signing of two protocols, the Central American country is authorized to export to the Asian country pork meat and sausages, as well as fish and shrimp.
Health protocols were signed on December 10 and according to the authorities of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), it is expected that the first shipments to China will be made as soon as possible.
Guatemalan producers say the Honduran authorities refuse to inspect their plants, preventing them from exporting milk to that market, so they ask the Guatemalan Ministry of Economy to apply reciprocal measures.
According to the directors of the Dairy Development Association (Asodel) and the Chamber of Dairy Producers of Guatemala, with the aim of authorizing sanitary permits, a year ago they waited for the National Agrifood Health and Safety Service (Senasa) of Honduras to visit the production plants, but the Honduran authorities refused to do so.
The protocol allowing Guatemalan companies to sell live cattle in the neighboring country will come into effect on December 15, 2019.
After the negotiation process between Mexican and Guatemalan authorities has concluded and the sanitary regulations for the entry of animals have been approved, the Central American country has the green light to start selling live cattle.
The authorities of the Ministry of Health closed the third restaurant of the Mister Donut chain, arguing that they failed to comply with the necessary hygiene measures while carrying out remodeling work in their facilities.
With this new closure, the stores that are currently closed are 29th Street Poniente, San Jose Park in downtown San Salvador, and Paseo General Escalon.
Authorities from both countries began the process of sanitary validation for the export of five agricultural items of Dominican production to the Asian nation.
The negotiations take place within the framework of the new diplomatic and commercial relations established between the two nations, and on the basis of the sanitary protocol signed by the parties in November 2018, informed the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic.
Costa Rican authorities issued a health alert because they are marketing anabolic medicines, multivitamins and dewormers without registration in the country.
The Directorate of Veterinary Medicines (DMV) of the National Animal Health Service, explained that the compounds that are being offered on social networks and some websites are Injectable Crecibol and the vitamin Engordan Plus Ande.
In El Salvador, private laboratories certified by the National Quality System will be able to analyze samples of food and beverages in order to opt for a sanitary registration during vacation periods.
The amendments, which were confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (Minsal) and the Ministry of Economy (Minec), respond to the requests made by businessmen at the first meeting of the Trade Facilitation Committee (Cifacil).
In response to alerts of African Swine Fever cases reported in Asia, authorities in El Salvador reported that they will carry out fumigations on air, land and sea transportation coming from the affected countries.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) alerted the countries of the region at the end of June to strengthen animal health controls and public and private veterinary services in the member states to prevent the recurrence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the region.
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