By Prossy Nandudu
Food testing laboratories in the five East African countries are to benefit from the Regional Strengthening of Food Safety Standards for Trade and Public Health Promotion project.
The project, which was launched on September 3, 2024, at the Golden Tulip in Kampala, is expected to be implemented in Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
It is aimed at addressing food safety issues that affect agricultural competitiveness and trade.
According to the African Development Bank, the key objectives of the project is to develop the capacities of national food safety authorities for systematic monitoring of the quality and standards of domestic and imported food items: Promote food safety protocols and harmonization across the region with an aim of boosting regional/cross-border trade and the removal of unnecessary trade barriers in support of the operationalization of the AfCFTA.
They also added that the project will develop the capacity of existing Bank funded projects and value chain actors on food safety and standardization certification programs to enhance productivity, local processing and market competitiveness
Findings from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that foodborne diseases caused 137,000 deaths and 91 million illnesses annually in Africa, accounting for one-third of the global burden.
They add that unsafe food exacerbates malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations and persistent food safety challenges hinder the economic potential of Africa’s agri-food sector.
Additional information from the World Bank adds that in the year 2016, safety issues cost developing countries up to $110 billion in lost productivity and medical expenses.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB), will in the next two years implement the two-year initiative aimed at improving food safety standards in the region.
While launching the project, agriculture minister, who was represented by the Assistant commissioner for agricultural extension Patience Rwamigisa, said that the programme will strengthen the efforts of the newly launched Food and Agricultural Regulatory Authority.
He explained that the Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority will regulate and guide stakeholders involved in the food supply chain, on safety issues among others.
“I am optimistic that this project will significantly support our ongoing efforts to establish the Food and Agricultural Regulatory Authority,” he said.
