Aproject to improve food quality and safety in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam will be

funded by New Zealand's Agency for International Development (NZAID) for the next

three years.

On February 17, NZAID committed $850,000 to a project run by the Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations (FAO) that aims to reduce food-borne diseases

and enhance exports from the three countries.

The money will be used to purchase equipment needed for testing laboratories, as

well as develop training in the areas of food inspection, analysis and risk analysis.

Food handlers and small enterprises, such as those at marketplaces will also be trained

in basic food hygiene, food regulations and quality assurance measures.