Food Safety in Africa

Among others, the ACFTA would look towards eliminating non-tariff berries and possible harmonising regulatory measures. Also, the biennial reporting mechanism would require significant efforts to scoring better food safety indices. Sound testing laboratories, inspectors, agricultural extension personnel, the food industry, private section and consumers can work closely to support these two critical regional initiatives. By extension and besides the economic perspective, food safety control systems (enhanced through networking) that support free trade would also benefit regional public health initiatives.

posing risks to the consumers but also due to the inevitable need to control such diseases and pests, chemicals used could pose additional public health as a result of unacceptable residues. When disease/pest control is not the primary concern, some chemicals could be used by certain producers to just enhance growth and production. Such application has various implications depending on perspective and targeted market.

The growing demand for more food due to a growing population – part of which is increasingly demands safer/quality food, the emergency of ‘new diseases/pests’ attributable to climate variations, a civil society that champions demand for safe food among other factors, call for establishing and/or strengthening food control systems with all relevant stakeholders playing a role. Trade of food stuff especially on the external market, is another motivation for ensuring foods are safer and of better quality.

Organised national food control systems that guarantee such safe/quality foods, that effectively inform policy and better agricultural practices are therefore needed on the continent. Reports suggest that these systems (at the heart of which is a laboratory) are generally wanting on the continent and there are huge disparities in the national levels of development. Ongoing efforts by various national, regional and international partners to develop capacity and increase awareness are therefore one of the answers.

A functional network will enhance such efforts by providing an interactive platform for the various stakeholders in Africa and beyond. AFoSaN currently driven by a group of analytical food safety laboratories on the continent is seeking to establish (and widen) synergies for better service delivery to the continent. The synergies include sharing of expertise, experiences, knowledge, harmonising analytical capabilities and optimising mechanisms for greater food safety assurance and awareness by looking at both chemical and microbial hazards in foods. The platform is also seeking to promote public-private partnerships, greater involvement of academic/research institutions as a way to contribute to sustainable food safety programs, and generating of new information on food safety (or filling gaps). Common issues of regional and international relevance given the globalisation of trade and necessitating adherence to international standards will also be addressed on this platform.

Individually, relevant players may take much longer to ensure a safe and quality food supply than as a team. Therefore, if you are visiting this website, contribute to the network in any way possible or at least let someone else know as soon as you can.

technology deals with physicochemical, nutritional and microbiological analysis in food products. Beside basic analysis, this laboratory has set up analysis of pesticide residues and aflatoxins in food and feeds. Recently, the capabilities for screening veterinary drug residues a range of foods including milk, eggs, meat/tissues, honey, grains and feed have been established. The laboratory works in partnership cooperation with BBN to support customs services.

institution established by Government Decree in 1992 with promotion of trade and protection of  of consumers and the environment as the main objectives. Meeting such a mandate calls for collaboration among sister institutions and other stakeholders within the country and the region.