National Food Committee Act 2008.

This Act provides for the establishment of the National Food Committee as the main mechanism for the development and the promotion of national strategies and policies on key aspects of food and food chain - namely food quality, food safety, food security and food education. The Act aims for the Committee to address these key issues in an integrated and efficient manner, to introduce food security policies, and advise on measures in cases of food emergencies including food-related terrorist activities. The Act consists of 16 Sections.
According to Section 4, the powers and duties of the Committee shall include: (1) Authority to propose food quality, food safety, food security and food education policies and strategies, including emergency plans and a food alert system; (2) Create or promote the development of policies and strategies on food quality, food safety, food security and food education in an ongoing manner and with the participation of all involved sectors; (3) Control, monitor and evaluate the outcomes of policies and strategies; etc. Food and Drug Administration within the Ministry of Public Health and National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Standards within the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives shall jointly serve as the Secretariat of the Committee. Under Section 8, the Committee shall convene at least twice a year. Section 12 bestows the Prime Minister with the power to declare restricted areas for food security purposes and specify permitted use of such areas. Such power shall be exercised only, in case of serious and emergency situations, including disasters, public endangerment or terrorist activities, related to food; upon recommendation of the Committee and the consent of the Cabinet; to the extent necessary to achieve specific purposes; and with the least adverse impact to the owner, tenant, or user of the areas. The declaration shall be in force for not more than one year and extendable up to an additional period of one year at a time in cases where the threats persist. The Prime Minister also has the power to prescribe ministerial orders or notifications for the enforcement of this Act according to Section 16.