Chairman of the Laos and Cambodia Branch of AK Science Asia Co., Ltd., Mr Jung Sung Dong (left), and the Director of FDQCC, Mr Chansapha Pamanivong.

S. Korea, Laos partner to advance food safety standards

A South Korea non-profit organisation is partnering with the Food and Drug Department of Laos through the AK Science Laos & Cambodia Branch, which will contribute over US$3 million to advance food safety standards and establish Laos as a global salt leader.
The Laos & Cambodia Branch of AK Science Asia Co., Ltd., authorised by the United States Food and Drug Administration to provide testing, registration, and approval services for food and drug products intended for export to the United States, has signed a transformative Memorandum of Agreement with the Food and Drug Quality Control Centre (FDQCC) of Laos’ Ministry of Health at the National Centre of Food and Drug Analysis.
This partnership will significantly enhance Laos’ food and drug safety systems and increase the export potential of Lao salt products, marking an important step towards meeting international standards on food safety and global exports.
The first to partner directly in advanced solutions, including state-of-the-art analysis systems, testing technologies, and modern equipment, the organisation will also deploy experts to collaborate with local professionals in the Food and Drug Department, providing training programmes and strengthening technical capacity to ensure product quality and consumer safety.
This collaboration will focus on improving food and drug analysis systems and achieving certification for mineral salts, mineral salt water, and table salt products.
The goal is to establish these products as benchmarks for Laos, ensuring they meet the highest international safety and quality standards.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Laos and Cambodia Branch of AK Science Asia Co., Ltd., Mr Jung Sung Dong, and the Director of FDQCC, Mr Chansapha Pamanivong.
Also present were the Chief Legal Officer of the AK Science Laos & Cambodia Branch, Mr Vilaysouk Phimmason, and the Director General of the Food and Drug Department, Dr Bounxou Keohavong, along with other representatives from both parties.
As a key participant in this collaboration, LA-KO Industrial Sole Co., Ltd. (LA-KO), based in Vientiane, is the largest exporter of Lao salt to South Korea and a recognised leader in the global salt market.
With its sister companies, K-LA-KO Co., Ltd. (K-LA-KO) and Donghaero Seafood Co., Ltd., all under cohesive leadership in South Korea, LA-KO processes Lao raw salt into premium-quality products under the brand “Éclat”.
“Éclat,” which means “independence” in Lao and “brilliance” in French, embodies LA-KO’s mission to contribute to Laos’ food sovereignty. These HACCP- and HALAL-certified products meet the needs of both food-grade and medical-grade applications.
In a joint statement, the executives and staff of LA-KO and K-LA-KO emphasised their commitment: “As the leading exporter of Lao salt to the global market, we aim to set new standards for quality and safety while advancing iodine salt production in Laos. Our efforts to establish an industrialised production facility using Korean technology will modernise the industry, ensuring high-quality products for both domestic use and global exports.”
This collaboration brings renewed confidence to Laos, promising enhanced food safety, a secure supply of high-quality iodised salt, and expanded export opportunities.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 2, 2025)