Cambodia Issues Law On Food Safety

• Published date: 04 July 2022
• Subject Matter: Consumer Protection, Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Food and Drugs Law, Dodd-Frank, Consumer Protection Act
• Law Firm: Tilleke & Gibbins
• Author: David Mol and Saryda Ou

On June 8, 2022, the King of Cambodia promulgated the Law on Food Safety by virtue of Royal Kram S/RKM/0622/006, ushering in a new dawn for food safety, consumer protection and investment in the food industry in Cambodia. The law addresses the complete food chain from farm to table and is set to bring Cambodia in line with international food safety standards.

The Law on Food Safety addresses a range of key issues for the food and beverage industry including technical regulations and minimum requirements; import controls; labeling; and inspection, competent authorities, and penalties. The Ministry of Commerce is tasked with coordinating the implementation and enforcement of the law, in cooperation with four other key ministries.

Food Technical Regulations

The law provides a framework for issuing legislative instruments mandating standards (Food Technical Regulations) generally based on existing practices in Cambodia, or on a regional or international level.

The law provides the legal bases for adopting Food Technical Regulations and appoints institutions that may adopt or request to adopt them. We expect many new Food Technical Regulations will be issued in the near future.

Food Requirements and Minimum Food Requirements

The law provides the following minimum requirements for food (Minimum Food Requirements):

• Food must be safe for consumption;
• Food may not be imported, manufactured, processed, or sold in a fraudulent or deceptive manner;
• Consumers must receive "adequate information" as defined in the law, including information on the food's origin ingredients, nutritional value, calorific content, user guidelines and storage guidelines.
• Food must meet the minimum hygiene, packaging, and labelling requirements detailed in the law;
• Food classified as high-risk must be properly registered and
• Storage of food must meet the safety and quality conditions set by the competent ministries.

Relevant ministries may issue new laws and regulations setting further legal requirements for food (Food Requirements) in accordance with Food Technical Regulations (if extant).

Food producers, processors, or packers must ensure that their products meet all relevant Food Technical Regulations, Minimum Food Requirements, and Food Requirements.

Furthermore, these types of businesses may not produce:

1. Food unsafe for consumption;
2. Counterfeit food, or food without providing an expiration date;
3. Food with packaging and labelling that does not meet Cambodian standards on food...