Strengthening Food Safety Standards.pptx

Food safety is a critical concern that significantly impacts human health, economic trade, and sustainable development worldwide. Each year, over 600 million people suffer from foodborne diseases, resulting in approximately 420,000 deaths, as reported by the World Health Organization. These figures are believed to be considerably underestimated, with populations in low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt of this public health crisis due to inadequate food safety control systems. The World Bank estimates that these countries lose about USD 110 billion annually due to productivity losses and medical expenses stemming from foodborne illnesses.

In Africa, about 70 percent of the population relies on domestic informal food markets for their daily sustenance. This highlights the urgent need to address food safety issues within this sector to protect public health and foster sustainable development. Recognising this pressing need, the Africa Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the African Union Commission’s Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA), in collaboration with the Food Safety for Africa (FS4Africa) and UP-RISE projects funded by the European Union, organised a timely and crucial webinar titled “Bridging Gaps in the Informal Sector” on 27 June 2024.

The webinar, which coincides with World Food Safety Day 2024 and its theme “Prepare for the Unexpected,” serves as a platform to raise awareness, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and foster collaborations among various stakeholders.

The webinar gathers a diverse group of stakeholders, including food safety mandate organisations across Africa and the European Union, Codex representatives from implementation countries, food regulatory bodies, and representatives of informal sector groups and associations.

Presentation 5: Strengthening Food Safety Standards in Africa - The Role of Private Sector and Other Stakeholders - Chiluba Mwape, SPS Coordinator, AUC

1. Strengthening Food Safety Standards in Africa - The Role of Private Sector and Other Stakeholders Chiluba Mwape African Union Commission 27 June 2024

2. Introduction Continental Policy Frameworks Roles of Private Sector and other stakeholders Regional Food Safety Initiatives Conclusion Outline

3. Introduction Access to safe and nutritious food is a basic human right. However, every year around the world, over 420 000 people die and some 600 million people fall ill after eating contaminated food . An estimated 137 000 die annually due to food borne disease in Africa (FERG, 2010) . This prevalence of foodborne related illnesses give rise to the high cost of medical treatment and productivity losses of about $16.7 billion for Africa (A2063, 2019) I ntra- African food demand is projected to increase by 178% by 2050. Th us , it is crucial to develop and implement harmonised food safety standards which guarantee that food producers and suppliers along the supply chain work responsibly and ensure the safety of the food (Boto, 2018) .

4. Continental Policy Frameworks The AU SPS Policy Framework provides guidance to African Union Member States on implementing science based SPS systems in line with international standards. The Animal Health Strategy for Africa provides a framework for managing animal health matters on the continent . The Food Safety Strategy for Africa provides a framework for provide a harmonized framework to implementing activities that mitigate various food safety threats that negatively impact consumers’ health. The Plant Health Strategy for Africa with the goal of developing and implementing a vibrant, robust and practical plant health system for Africa to enhance food and nutrition security, improved livelihoods and trade. The AfCFTA Annex 7 to facilitate implementation harmonised SPS measures .

5. In 2022, eight out of the 21 Member States that provided complete data successfully halved the incidence of foodborne diarrheal diseases and mortalities 4 th CAADP Biennual Review Report - SPS Health Indicator

6. The Roles of Private Sector and others Participate in national standards/ regulations formulation - NCCC; FBOs should comply with food safety standards and technical re gulations; FBO should p romote self regulation and voluntary compliance to food safety measures in their industry and invest in cutting-edge quality assurance systems as well as Information Technology solutions; The FBO associations should facilitate information sharing and best practices among their members and promote the culture of working together; The FBO association should collaborate with government to develop industry specific standards and improve food safety management/ contingency plans; Enhance the contribution of the private sector in the international food standards setting process; Promoting investment and trade for improving agri-food systems - Labs.

7. Regional Food Safety Initiatives European Union supported projects - SPS Programme for Africa; Food Safety for Africa (FS4A); UP-RISE; African Development Bank supported projects - Strengthening Food Safety Standards and Nutrition in Africa; GCP/SFW/004/AFB “Strenthening food safety standards to improve SMEs competitiveness in the Sahel (SF4S)” ; & GCP/SFE/010/AFB “Regional Strengthening of Food Safety Standards for Trade and Public Health Promotion” ; WTO STDF supported project harmonisation of pesticides regulations in Southern Africa; World Bank and USDA/FAS projects on strengthening SPS systems.

8. Conclusion Collective efforts are needed for all agri-food systems stakeholders to ensure food safety, animal and plant health (one health) as implementation of harmonised science based food safety standards is critical for consumer protection and confidence. Food safety is everyone’s business.

9. Framework Overview An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing dynamic force in the international arena. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!