A Practical Assessment Tool for Identifying Challenges and Driving Transformation in National Food Systems
The Scan Guide is a practical tool to support the analysis of the policy and regulatory dimensions of four aspects of a country’s national food system: food safety, food fortification, food loss and waste, livestock production (animal welfare and use of antibiotics).
The Scan Guide provides a structured list of assessment questions across these four areas, enabling users to identify challenges and opportunities for transformation. It supports experts from both public and private sectors in evaluating policy frameworks, regulatory management, institutional capacity, and capacity-building needs in countries where interventions are planned or improvements are required.
By helping users identify where to direct support and design targeted investments, the Scan Guide aims to strengthen national, regional, and global food safety systems by increasing efficiency in consumer protection, improving food safety standards, and supporting a sustainable food industry.
The Scan Guide incorporates years of experience of World Bank Group specialists working across diverse regions and contexts. The Scan Guide has proven to be an efficient and practical tool widely used by everyone who is involved in developing, maintaining, or improving national food systems.
Related Links
- Investing Wisely in Food Safety: How to Maximize the Benefits and Reduce Costs
- Strengthening the Business Case for Food Safety Management Systems
- IFC Food Safety Handbook
- Food Safety Reforms: The New Zealand Food Safety System in Case Studies
- IFC Guidelines for Coaching on Food Safety Policy and Regulatory Activities
- IFC and World Bank learning programs on Agribusiness.
For more information, please contact us at ifcfs@ifc.org.
