17 December 2014 – Kampala, Uganda – African Union Policy makers have convened in Kampala to review progress made on the implementation of Codex Alimentarius standards ( (internationally agreed upon food standards) to improve the safety and quality of the food consumed in Africa.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of Uganda, Mr Samuel Senkungu, Uganda’s Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary, said that the foodborne diseases resulting from poor food hygiene practices adversely affect populations’ well-being and health while at the same time impacting negatively on national economies.

“Codex Alimentarius is about safe, good food for everyone – everywhere.  Therefore matters of codex are critical for Africa since they contribute to ensuring health and safety of the consumers while enhancing fair food trade”, said Mr Senkungu, opening a three day meeting jointly organized by FAO and the Swiss government in close collaboration with the African Union and the Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAFRICA)

Stressing the need to put in place key hygiene controls at every stage, Mr Senkungu emphasized that focus on food hygiene is extremely significant because food deterioration occurs along the entire food chain.

Building capacity to meet food safety standards

In his keynote address to the participants, Dr. Jean Kamanzi, FAO Regional Food Safety and Quality Officer for Africa said that there is need for African Countries to move to the second level of an effective participation in the deliberations of Codex work by providing both the technical and data required to develop international food safety standards.

“It is in this context that this workshop was designed with intent to provide the technical expertise which will allow African delegates to fully and effectively participate in Codex deliberations,” he said.

 Switzerland as a co-organizer of this Codex workshop and a financial contributor to Codex Trust Fund encourages the h aims at ensuring the participation of developing countries in Codex activities.

“The capacity building activities including training seminars will enhance African policy makers to evaluate and address the crucial questions related to policy choices and modes of implementation in order to cope with today’s global challenges and those still to come”, said Mr Thomas Jemmi, Ambassador and Deputy Director-General of Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office.

Socio-economic implications of food safety

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), foodborne and waterborne diarrheal diseases kill an estimated 2.2 million people annually, most of whom are children. Not only do foodborne diseases adversely affect people’s health and wellbeing, but they also have negative economic consequences for individuals, families, communities, businesses and national economies, among others.

The 2nd Pan African Codex Workshop is part of the activities foreseen under 2014-19 strategic plan and brings together all Codex African Union members with the major objective of enhancing their capacities in the field of food safety and quality.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) develops food safety and quality standards with the aim of protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) is the responsible committee, which develops Codex food hygiene guidance.

Links:

Codex Alimentarius Commission

http://www.codexalimentarius.org/

Supporting developing countries effective participation in Codex

http://www.fao.org/food/food-safety-quality/capacity-development/participation-codex/en/

Contact:

• Agatha Ayebazibwe | Communication Officer | FAO Uganda | Email:  [email protected] | Mobile: +256 779442502
• Ny You | Communication Unit | FAO Regional Office for Africa | Email: [email protected] |Mobile: +233 024 206 5302