Abstract

• Food safety refers to the conditions and practices that preserve the quality of food to prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses. Foodborne illness is a major public health issue in worldwide because it affects human health and causes significant economic loss. Myanmar is still weak in its functional capacity to address growing international concerns about the safety of food products being imported from countries like China. Therefore, legislation is needed to ensure that the food supply to consumers meets safety standards. This study aims to explore the legislative requirements for food safety, and to protect and promote public health relating to food safety from a legal aspect. According to the findings, inadequate food safety knowledge and attitudes among consumers leads to not only a negative impact on food safety practices but also health problems and a shorter life expectancy among them. Therefore, this study will inform the public to the importance of food safety and how food safety is protected and public health is promoted by national laws. Moreover, it will help the State government effectively implements the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially in Goal 2 for achieving food security and improved nutrition and Goal 3 for good health and well-being among the 17 Goals of SDGs; promotes economic development of the State; and reduces poverty among the public by protecting public health in Myanmar.