As a result of significant improvements in income levels and lifestyles, consumers worldwide have increasingly demanded better quality and safer food in recent years. Accordingly, many countries have taken measures to enhance their food standards and labeling systems since they are important not only in improving food quality but also in ensuring the safety of food. The concern for safety, in particular, has grown due to a number of recent events. One is the increased use of genetically modified, and another,although more recent, is the of livestock diseases in Europe which raised consumer consciousness about the need resolute government action to ensure that only safe, accurately labeled food is sold and that the risk of food-borne health is minimized. Government, especially in the more advanced countries, have already acted to develop increasingly sophisticated food laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations, however, have been viewed some developing countries as barriers to trade. Therefore, at the international level, efforts have made to harmonize the food standards of various countries. At the same time, the increasing diversification of food products on the market makes an efficient food standards and labeling system more vital to meet the concerns of both local and foreign consumers regarding food quality and safety. To review the current food standards and food labeling system in member counties and suggest measures for enhancing their effectiveness and contribution to the development of the food industry in those countries, the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) organized the seminar on food Standards and Labeling Systems in Tokyo from 4 to 11 April 2001. This publication is a compilation of the papers and proceedings of the seminar. I hope that it will serve as a useful reference on the subject for APO member countries. The APO is grateful to the Government of Japan for hasting the seminar, in articular to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for providing financial and technical assistance, the Association for international Cooperation of Agriculture and Forestry for implementing the program,and the resource speakers for their valuable contributions. Special thanks are due to Mr.Morton Satin for Editing the present volume.

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