Deputies of the Senate Committee on Agrarian Issues, Nature Management and Rural Development in preparation for the parliamentary hearings on “Food supply - an important component of national security” visited the laboratories of the National Center of Expertise.

The purpose of the deputies' visit was to familiarize themselves with the activities of the laboratory service of the NCE and to discuss key issues of sanitary and epidemiological safety and control of food products.

Welcoming speech was made by Vice-Minister of Health Timur Sultangaziev and Chairman of the Committee of Sanitary-Epidemiological Control Sarhat Beisenova.

Vice-Minister of Health Timur Sultangaziev emphasized the importance of food safety control as an integral part of food security of the country.

Chairman of the Sanitary-Epidemiological Control Committee Sarhat Beisenova focused on the importance of comprehensive monitoring and sanitary-epidemiological expertise conducted in the laboratories of the National Center of Expertise. She noted that the laboratories of the NCE are equipped with high-precision instruments, have qualified personnel and accredited in the state accreditation system of Kazakhstan in accordance with international standards.

Chairman of the Board of the National Center of Expertise Yerlan Kiyasov presented the key results of NCE activity in the field of sanitary-epidemiological well-being of the population and ensuring food safety.

“The National Center of Expertise is a significant link in ensuring sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population of Kazakhstan. Our extensive network of laboratories and offices covers the entire country, which allows us to promptly respond to challenges in the field of food safety and epidemiological monitoring,” Kiyasov said.

Since 2019, more than 1 million studies have been conducted and 184,000 product samples have been collected.

Despite the decrease in the number of planned studies, the share of non-compliant products remains at the same level, which confirms the need for constant control over the safety of goods in the market of Kazakhstan.

Also, the National Center of Expertise together with the veterinary service actively works at the border, controlling products coming from outside. For example, in 2023, 32% of dairy products did not meet the standards, and in 2024 - already 28.6%. This confirms the continuing flow of adulterated products

In addition, the problems faced by food safety in Kazakhstan, such as the lack of registers of hazardous substances, underestimation of risks associated with new products, as well as the growing number of “gray” certificates were voiced.

He also shared plans to modernize and expand the NCE laboratory base to improve the quality and efficiency of work in the field of sanitary and epidemiological control.

“For effective control we need to improve laboratory infrastructure and introduce a risk-oriented approach, which requires additional funding and support,” Kiyasov summarized. 

After discussing all the issues of interest, Talgat Tungyshbaev, Director of the Astana Branch, organized a familiarization tour for the deputies to the bacteriological, sanitary-hygienic laboratories, as well as the laboratory of high-tech research. The heads of the laboratories demonstrated modern methods of research and equipment used in the laboratories, as well as explained the key role of these laboratories in ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological safety of products.

The visit gave the deputies an opportunity not only to assess the current state of the laboratories, but also to develop recommendations for improving standards and working methods. These efforts are aimed at improving the quality of sanitary services in Kazakhstan, which is key to ensuring food security.

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