EURASIAN JOURNAL OF LAW, FINANCE AND
APPLIED SCIENCES
Innovative Academy Research Support Center
IF = 7.984
Volume 5, Issue 7, July 2025 ISSN 2181-2853
Page 72
FOOD SAFETY IN UZBEKISTAN AND BEYOND:
CHALLENGES, SYSTEMS, AND GLOBAL STANDARDS
Rakhmankulov Akmal Berdikulovich
Academy of Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16742462
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Received: 25
th
July 2025
Accepted: 30
th
July 2025
Online: 31
st
July 2025
Food safety is a critical public health and economic concern
globally. In Uzbekistan, recent legislative reforms, institutional
restructuring, and capacity-building efforts aim to align with
Codex Alimentarius, HACCP, ISO standards, and WTO SPS
measures. This article presents (i) conceptual frameworks and
risk-based management systems, (ii) Uzbekistan’s ongoing
reforms—including new food safety law, laboratory upgrades, and
FAO/ITC projects—and (iii) global strategies for hazard control.
Finally, recommendations are offered on enhancing collaboration
between public authorities, private sector and academia to ensure
safe and sustainable food supply chains.
KEYWORDS
Food
safety;
HACCP;
risk-analysis;
Codex
Alimentarius; WTO SPS;
ISO 22000; Uzbekistan;
laboratory accreditation;
public health; foodborne
illness
1. Introduction
Food safety refers to ensuring food is free from biological, chemical, and physical hazards
at all stages from production to consumption. Ensuring this safety is essential to human health,
economic development, and trade. Globally, the WHO estimates that some 600 million people
fall ill annually due to unsafe food, causing approximately 420,000 deaths, many among
children under five years of age.
In Uzbekistan, improvements in food safety control systems are underway. An ambitious
legislative framework is emerging, laboratories are being consolidated and upgraded to
international standards, and training programs are being deployed, all to support public health
and facilitate international trade.
2. Conceptual Frameworks: Risk Analysis, Codex, HACCP, ISO
2.1 Codex Alimentarius and WTO SPS
The Codex Alimentarius provides internationally recognized standards for food hygiene,
labeling, pesticide residues, contaminants, and analytical methods. It also recommends HACCP
implementation and traceability systems. Under the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), countries must ensure their sanitary and food
safety measures are science-based and do not create unnecessary trade barriers. Uzbekistan’s
reform of its food legislation aims to align its system with SPS rules to boost trade and consumer
protection.
2.2 Risk Analysis and HACCP
Risk analysis, as defined by Codex, comprises risk assessment, risk management, and risk
communication. HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) offers a systematic
EURASIAN JOURNAL OF LAW, FINANCE AND
APPLIED SCIENCES
Innovative Academy Research Support Center
IF = 7.984
Volume 5, Issue 7, July 2025 ISSN 2181-2853
Page 73
preventive approach to identifying and controlling food safety hazards—biological, chemical,
or physical—from farm to fork. Originating from NASA food production protocols, HACCP is
now mandatory in many jurisdictions for sectors such as meat and juice, while voluntary under
ISO 22000 frameworks.
2.3 ISO 22000
ISO 22000 provides a voluntary international standard for food safety management
systems that integrate HACCP principles and risk-based preventive controls. It is increasingly
adopted by developing countries to enhance market access—Uzbek producers aiming to export
will benefit from aligning with ISO 22000 in addition to national HACCP requirements.
3. Uzbekistan’s Food Safety Reform Landscape
3.1 Legislative Update: New Food Safety Law
In March–April 2025, Uzbekistan’s parliament approved in first reading a draft Food
Safety Law (with 6 chapters and 47 articles) tailored to align with WTO SPS rules and Codex
guidelines. It defines the responsibilities of state bodies, implements risk-based systems
including HACCP, and mandates uniform hygiene and control measures across the food supply
chain.
Notably, the law calls for consumption standards to be reviewed every three years, with
oversight by the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Agriculture as lead authority.
3.2 Institutional and Laboratory Capacity Building
With support from ITC and EU WTO-accession projects, Uzbekistan is restructuring its
food safety testing network. In mid-2024 a survey identified key labs that were upgraded to
meet ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. In October 2024, field assessments were conducted, and
subsequently 37 technicians were trained in record-keeping, methods validation, sampling, and
analysis for microbiological, pesticide, and aflatoxin testing.
FAO-supported projects launched in April 2025 undertook assessments of Uzbekistan’s
food control system and strategic planning workshops. Outcomes include recommendations for
modernizing institutional frameworks, improving inspection protocols, and designing national
food safety strategies and action plans.
3.3 Public Health Incidents and Enforcement
In the first five months of 2025, Uzbekistan reported 14 food poisoning incidents affecting
42 individuals, including multiple cases of botulism from home-canned preserves and chemical
contamination. Inspections of catering establishments found hygiene violations in over 3 % of
inspected sites. These incidents underscore the need for stronger regulatory enforcement,
public awareness, and improved food handling practices across informal sectors.
4. Core Components of an Effective Food Safety System
4.1 Integrated Policy and Oversight Across Agencies
Strong food safety systems rely on clear legislative frameworks, enforcement protocols,
and coordination among agencies—public health, agriculture, consumer protection, and trade.
Uzbekistan’s new law unifies authority and clarifies roles, enabling a risk-based and
harmonized approach across sectors.
4.2 Capacity Building: Laboratories and Personnel
Accredited laboratories compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 and auditors trained in HACCP
protocols are critical. Uzbekistan’s investment in selecting and upgrading key labs, along with
EURASIAN JOURNAL OF LAW, FINANCE AND
APPLIED SCIENCES
Innovative Academy Research Support Center
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Volume 5, Issue 7, July 2025 ISSN 2181-2853
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specialized training of technicians, positions the country to implement science-based testing
and risk assessment systemically.
4.3 Implementation of HACCP and ISO Systems
Implementing HACCP at food processing facilities—including mapping hazard points,
establishing critical control points, and record-keeping—is a fundamental preventive tool.
Workshops organized with support from GIZ and vocational partners in Uzbekistan have
trained industry and academic personnel in HACCP principles and Preliminary Conditions
Programs.
4.4 Monitoring and Surveillance
Continuous monitoring of foodborne illness and contamination events allows regulators
to react quickly and adjust safety controls. Globally, innovative methods including
machine-learning models (like FINDER) are used to detect outbreaks in near real time. In
Uzbekistan, routine inspections of public catering and documentation of poisoning incidents
support hazard monitoring.
4.5 Risk Communication and Consumer Engagement
Education of food businesses and consumers about safe food practices—clean water,
cooking temperatures, avoidance of contaminated locally produced goods—is key. Public
advisories on home-canning safety, sanitary handling of fruit and vegetables, and water
treatment can reduce incidents of botulism or diarrhea.
5. Global Best Practices and Emerging Technologies
5.1 Tech-Enabled Inspection and Surveillance
Machine-learning applications such as FINDER use anonymized web search and mobility
data to flag potential foodborne illness hotspots, enabling targeted inspection and prevention
efforts.
5.2 Role of AI and LLMs in HACCP
Recent academic work explores how large language models could assist in designing
HACCP plans, risk assessment tools, and dynamic response protocols—particularly for
pathogens like Campylobacter—in food supply chains.
5.3 International Standards for Improved Trade Access
Aligning with ISO 22000 and HACCP simplifies market access for exporters. Many
countries now require ISO certification or equivalent risk-based controls to ensure compliance
and consumer trust.
6. Discussion and Recommendations
6.1 Strengthen Enforcement and Inspection
Increasing inspection coverage of public catering—from under 8 % toward broader
coverage—and imposing sanctions for hygiene violations can reduce risks in informal food
sectors.
6.2 Expand Lab Accreditation and Decentralization
While three main laboratories are prioritized for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, expanding
capacity across regions will reduce duplication and enhance coverage, especially in remote
areas, as envisioned under ongoing restructuring efforts
6.3 Promote HACCP and ISO Certification Among Producers
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Volume 5, Issue 7, July 2025 ISSN 2181-2853
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Encouraging small and medium enterprises to adopt HACCP or ISO 22000 through public–
private partnerships, incentives, or technical support could accelerate safe production
practices and export readiness.
6.4 Leverage Data-Driven Surveillance Tools
Adoption of digital surveillance tools, complaint hotlines, or even machine-learning
analytics could enhance detection of outbreaks and support proactive interventions.
6.5 Educate Consumers and Food Handlers
Public education campaigns addressing risks of unsafe home preservation, contamination
via poor hygiene, and proper storage and cooking practices can greatly reduce incidents of
foodborne illness.
7. Conclusion
Effective food safety systems are foundational to public trust, health, and economic
development. Uzbekistan’s legislative reforms, inter-agency coordination, laboratory upgrades,
and capacity-building activities mark substantial progress toward meeting global standards.
Continued investment in surveillance, training, and engagement across the supply chain will
sustain these gains. Embracing emerging technologies and aligning with international norms
like Codex, HACCP, ISO 22000, and WTO SPS can not only protect domestic health but also boost
Uzbekistan’s competitiveness in global markets.
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