BANGKOK, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Thailand's Department of Health is developing a food safety network in collaboration with Laos to prepare for the establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.
A forum was held in Nong Khai province to discuss development of the Vientiane-Nong Khai-Khon Khaen food safety network aimed at boosting tourists' confidence in consuming safe and hygienic food.
Participants at the forum considered appointing a tripartite committee which will assess restaurants particularly in Nong Khai and Vientiane to prepare them for the AEC.
Narong Saiwong, deputy director general of the Health Department, said a Thai-Laos food safety project was launched by a health centre in Khon Khaen province last year.
The project's objective is to create guidelines and develop assessment criteria for food safety in the two countries.
Narong said the Health Department had used the criteria to audit eight restaurants in prominent areas of both countries.
Source： BERNAMA