an overview of the country’s food safety and control system; the role of NAFDAC and other institutions in this system; the legislative framework; scope and role of the laboratories as well as inspection among others. The unique governance structure in Nigeria (Federal system) and how the country is so far able to implement food safety in a vast and populous terrain; actively participating in international food safety discussions including Codex, raised particular interest among the network members. The role of the private sector, food business operators, the informal market and the issue of financing and sustaining food safety programmes and initiatives, were discussed. A number of challenges were nevertheless, identified including chemical and biological hazards, but majorly residues and contaminants such as heavy metals, veterinary and pesticides residues, mycotoxins. Others were poor adherence to good agricultural practices; poor storage conditions and transportation/distribution among others.

Participants were assured in conclusion that: the regulatory measures in place are efficient enough to combat a number of identified challenges, and that effective implementation of the various regulatory measures will ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for the public. Also, the national policy on food safety adequately covers a spectrum of critical areas such as the principles of risk analysis, emerging contaminants within the food chain and the establishment of an integrated food borne disease surveillance and response system. Participants were also informed how important it is for different parties at the National and sub-national levels, from regulators to farmers and consumers, to always make informed choices setting an all-new benchmark for the safe handling, marketing and sale of food through out the nation. More than 100 participants attended the webinar.

food safety authority in place since 2017. This involves among others, institutions in the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, industry, as well as Investment and Foreign Trade. The country exports foods to several destinations including: 54 % to Arab Countries; 19 % to EU; 8 % to other African Countries; 5 % to USA and 14 % to other international Markets. The system involves cooperation with international bodies such as the Codex, IAEA, ISO, FAO, WHO, WTO as well as UNIDO among others.

The webinar was moderated by Mr James Sasanya (Joint FAO/IAEA Centre) and Mr Mahmoud Al Sisi (QCAP, Egypt)

Rabat, Morocco, from the 31 March to 4 April 2025. The GLP is based on the global OECD guidance and expectations.  Additionally, areas covered were on Good Clinical Practice (GCP) laboratory requirements and an overview of veterinary Good clinical practices (GCP) requirements for study implementation and control. The training also addressed relevant aspects of The International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH guidelines).  Further training in other aspects such as GLP-Pesticides and minor/major crops is anticipated.

(ONARDEP); the National Office of Sanitary Inspection of Fishery and Aquaculture Products (ONISPA); Veterinary services department (DVS) ; National Office for Standardization and Metrology (ONANOR) and the National Institute for Public Health Research (INRSP) etc.

The purpose was to bring together stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues including coordinating food safety activities and mandates in the country and explore support to improve the country’s food safety and control system in general.

Participants discussed topics such as the rapid exchange of information during food safety related events; Information-sharing on important food safety related national and global issues. They also addressed partnerships and collaboration and how to strengthen capacity to manage food safety emergencies

Group discussions deliberated on the current regulatory framework; control of animal (including fisheries) and plant products; current surveillance/monitoring programmes; trade and public health related challenges due to unsafe/poor quality food; strategies for improving and implementing the country’s food safety system and ways to mobilize Government and international support. They also covered the building of strong national network and linkages to regional network – African Food Safety Network; INFOSAN etc and strategies to scale-up the current Atoms4Food Initiative. A key part of the workshop was learning from Egypt and Benin about their National Food Safety Systems particular their experience in setting up substantive food safety Authorities/Agencies. Experts from the IAEA (Joint FAO/IAEA Centre) as well as National Food Safety Authority of Egypt (Dr Eman Helmy Ata Moustafa) and Mr Kisito Chabi Sika (ABSSA, Benin). Opportunities for collaboration with the World Food Programme were explored, thanks to participation of a representative Ms Maimouna Dahah from the country office.

about the kind of services that ABSSA offers, the National quality control mechanism for agricultural products and its certification procedures. Attendees also learnt about the control of food products on the market and how a Food Business Control Plan (PCEA) is developed and implemented;  and drawing up and implementing  of the programme for monitoring/surveillance of hazards in food products (local and imported).  Some of the Services ABSSA offers include (but not limited to) the Registration of agri-food companies; Sanitary control /inspections of production, processing and distribution establishments; Sanitary  control /inspections of foodstuffs on import, export and the local market; Laboratory analysis of foodstuffs; Issuing sanitary  approvals to agri-food companies; Issuance of sanitary  and quality certificates; Issuing marketing authorisations for foodstuffs; and Monitoring contaminants in food. The webinar participants also learnt about the role of ABSSA’s laboratory, the test it conducts etc. Participants also discussed the challenges the country faces.

The webinar was moderated by Mr. El Hadj Mamadou Niang (LACOMEV, EISMV, Senegal) and Ms Khaoula Nasr (CNST, Tunisia).

3 of the chambers were operational and the instrument faced issues with license key. Full diagnosis was conducted and by the end of the training 11 of the chambers were operational with the last one soon to follow after the root cause was determined

(Societe Hydrac), on elemental analysis. The training included presentation on ISO/IEC 17025 – Principle of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and methods used in analysis of heavy metals; Development and optimization of AAS methods for analysis of heavy metals; Hands on practice in developing and optimizing AAS methods; Different sample preparation techniques for analysis – Practice, sample preparation using wet method technique and analysis by AAS; Practice, sample preparation using the ashing technique and analysis using AAS. Others were preparation of analytical working and calibration standards; preparation of control sample;  Evaluation of result and control sample for different sample preparation technique; Presentation, method validation for AAS methods – Practical validation of AAS methods for heavy metals – Evaluation of validation data generated; Estimation of uncertainty from the available validation data and QA/QC in a testing as well as basic trouble shooting of AAS.  “During our training, we acquired the knowledge required for the physico-chemical analysis of food, especially the testing of traces of heavy metals in food in general” Say’s Mr Mabong Hegba. “We worked on two sample preparation techniques, and this allowed us to categorize the type of preparation according to the category of food and the sensitivity of the analyte sought” he added.

; choice of food matrices such as meat, fish, eggs, according to local dietary habits; elaboration of sampling plan (based on population density, realistic sampling and collection); evaluating the possibility of including other matrices along with the targeted foods; assessing sample testing and data analysis/interpretation and reporting strategies

Personnel learnt of various teams/stakeholders that re or should be involved in the TDS program and project; introduction to total diet studies; presentation of TDS methodology, what they are and why they are important as well as sharing experiences of TDS carried out in Algeria and Benin.

(extraction, purification, injection, detection, and peaks quantification). Works was also done in on the validation and verification of analytical methods up to calculation of uncertainties was done. Codex Alimentarius (standards, code of conduct, sampling guide, etc.) and the ISO 17025 standard and quality assurance on the validity of the results was also done. In addition 120 oil samples were analyzed for PAH determination for the purpose of exposure assessment and a publication is under development. 

Says Maguette Ndiaye “This fellowship comes at just the right time. The main objective was to analyze oil samples to assess PAH levels and perform exposure assessment for the Senegalese population. I received an excellent practical training beyond my expectations”. The training will benefit, among others, a local network of food safety laboratories” She added

“The training on food safety was exceptionally important. It has increased my confidence and competence in carrying out my duties. I have gained advanced skills and knowledge in using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS for the detection and quantification of chemical residues. This experience is highly valuable in the field of food safety and quality control. The knowledge shall be fully utilized at the Malawi Bureau of Standards as regulatory body where I work as analyst. This shall ensure that food products meet international standards based on European Union and Codex Alimentarius hence protecting public health’ Says Mr Chimwemwe Banda

Some of the crops were tomatoes analyzed for analytes such as dithiocarbamates analysed by GC-MS. Flour samples were analyses for aflatoxin and analysed on LC-MS/MS. 

Mr Mollande Teddie said “The training made me a young expert in testing food samples for contaminants using very sensitive equipment like LC-MS and GC-MS” “I also acquire skills on how to prepare samples for some pesticides residues, mycotoxin and veterinary for analysis on LC-MS/MS” He added. 

Mr Steve Daniel Gama Afuleni, trained on elemental analysis in food and environmental samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The training has been a very big success and a breakthrough in as far as analysis of heavy metal residues in food and environmental samples is concerned” He says

methods based on Real Time PCR; Overall of ISO 22119, ISO 20837, ISO 20838, ISO 22118; Sample preparation and enrichment and the detection of salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, VTEC, Chronobacter sakazakii, E.coli 0157, Vibrio cholerae and parahaemolyticis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other areas were Food adulteration: introduction, overview and detection methods; Extraction of GMO, of plant, animal tissues and viruses: determination of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) and Norovirus in food using RT-PCR; Master mix, primers and probes preparation; Internal quality control scheme to be implemented in PCR laboratory; RT-PCR software and RT-PCR interpretation of results, as well as software trouble shooting, reporting and interpretation of results. Kengni’s scope was closely related and entailed: Requirements of microbiology analysis of food and animal feeding stuffs using RT-PCR in general; an overview on the RT-PCR system comparing to traditional PCR system; DNA or RNA extraction and detection etc. 

During this training, we acquired a better knowledge of good laboratory practices. We are now aware of the behavior to adopt in a PCR laboratory. The practical work allowed us to see all the devices set up by QCAP in order to guarantee the reliability of the results and maintain its accreditation” says Mr Kengni

take advantage of the Atoms4Food Initiative to improve food and agriculture. A representative of the General director of ONSSA welcomed the participants to Morocco and appreciated the collaboration with the IAEA and FAO. The FAO country, Morocco Mr Jean Senahoun, attended the opening of the meeting and also highlighted the role of the FAO in Morocco and the continent in improving agrifood systems and particularly food safety. 

The meeting covered a wide scope of themes and topics including: Food Safety Awareness, Atoms4Food Initiative, Systems and Partnerships (opening); 

SESSION 1: Partnership development, Resource mobilisation for Food safety and control system sustainability

Keynote presentation 2: Strengthening Food Safety Control

The U.S. Food Safety System, Highlighting the role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Comment: USDA-FDA-USAID collaboration on food safety in Africa

An overview of the Quality Infrastructure Landscape in West and Central Africa and the need for partnerships and collaborations to enhance food safety from the perspective of the World Food Programme (WFP)

Panel discussion: Supporting the Atoms4Food Initiative in Africa – Food Safety, Food and Nutrition Security; Partnerships

SESSION 2: Food Safety and Control Systems; the Private Sector with a keynote presentation 3: Food Safety is system-based it won’t succeed any other way – A Case of Morocco’s Food Safety Control System (Mr Abdelghni Azzi, Morocco)

DAY2

SESSION 3: Standards in Africa, Accreditation, AfCFTA, Testing; Keynote presentation 4: Strengthening Food Safety Regulations and Standards in Morocco, highlighting the Role of ONSSA

SESSION 4: Pesticide Residues Testing and Monitoring; Associated Standards;Keynote presentation 5: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Pesticide Monitoring Program for Foods Consumed in the United States – A Data Source for Food Safety, Developing MRLs, Dietary Risk Assessments & Trade

SESSION 5: Veterinary Drug Residue Testing and Monitoring; Associated Standards; Keynote presentation 6: Controlling Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in Food Production and Trade – Opportunities and Challenges

DAY 3 SESSION 6: Food Safety Monitoring/Surveillance

Keynote presentation 7: The Importance of Traceability to the U.S. Food Safety System & The Product Tracing for Food Safety (PT4FS) Tool (Angela Fields – US Food and Drug Administration, USA)

SESSION 7: Risk Analysis: Assessment, Management and Communication; Networking. One of the key presentation was on Enhancing the African Food Safety Network (AFoSaN) and its Positioning to Contribute to Addressing National, Regional and Global Food Safety Standards.

DAY 4: Mycotoxins and Other Hazard Analysis, Proficiency and Sustainable Laboratory Excellence

SESSION 8: Contaminants in Food, Feed and the Environment

SESSION 9: Research and Capacity Building Opportunities at the IAEA and other Institutions/Development Partners; Country Experiences

Participants held discussions on under a theme Tell-your-food safety- story session – Where do you see your institution/country in 10 years from now in line with continental developments and goals e.g. African Food Safety Strategy; SPS, AfCFTA, sustainable human resource etc?

DAY 5: Food Quality, Capacity Building, Overall Discussions

 SESSION 10: Food Fraud, Food Authenticity, Traceability; Others

Session 11: Wrap-up and Final Take Home, Call for Action

Finally discussion were also held on Africa’s Challenges and Opportunities in the production and reporting of Scientific Data; Trade Bottlenecks; Standards and Lack of a Rapid Alert System

Mr Nabil Abouchoaib (ONSSA, Morocco), delivered final remarks on the importance of the meeting and the honor they had to host several African delegates and international partners. 

The meeting was concluded with remarks from the Deputy Director General and the Department of Technical Cooperation Mr Hua Liu. He appreciated the collaboration demonstrated at the meeting and the commitment the Member States have in improving the food safety and control system on the continent.

Cote D’Ivoire volunteered to host the next meeting in about 2-year’s time