Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

A balanced diet and safe foods are one of the key elements of health. High energy intake and lack of physical activity result in increase of overweight and obesity, which cause a number of health problems. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death in the European Region. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in Croatia with the rate of 47% and 45, 5 % in the City of Zagreb in 2015. NCDs are becoming a major health, economic and social issue. On the other hand, food production is one of the most important industries in the world. Advantages of globalization are obvious, but there is a need for risk management and standardization to provide safe and quality food products. With the aim of strengthening the role of public health institutions and importance of food safety in different South-Eastern European regions, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia initiated the foundation of South-East European Network for Food Safety and Quality Control (SEEN-FSQC). The countries in South-East Europe were politically and economically connected in the past and food safety was regulated by the same directives. Nowadays, these countries are politically independent and they belong to different political and economic associations (EU, CEFTA). Applied Food Safety Directives might be different in each country; therefore SEEN-FSQC is initiating a standardization of public health activities and food control in South-East region of Europe. SEEN-FSQC ensures formation of an expert group for the purpose of sharing knowledge, training and providing help to decision-makers, as well as education and international co-operation. Network members are the most appreciated institutions and scientific laboratories, including public health institutions, faculties that work in food production process in any way and leading private laboratories from South-East Europe.

Biography

Sandra Sikic has her expertise in environmental health. Currently she works as a Deputy Director in the Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb. She graduated in chemistry from the Faculty of Science in Zagreb and has a Ph.D. in natural sciences, biology. She completed one-year specialist training at the Business Academy Experta in Zagreb and gained the title Health Manager. She is a lecturer in the field of public health and environmental health at the University of Applied Health Sciences. She attended a number of training and professional education courses both in Croatia and European Union. She’s the author of numerous professional and scientific papers. Further professional interest is in toxicology, water and food safety as well as other environmental factors.

Email: sandra.sikic@stampar.hr