by Ms Rosine Niyonshuti, Secretary, National Codex Committee, Rwanda

On December 7^th, 2023 the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), held a workshop to increase the country’s participation in the development and dissemination of information on international food standards of Codex.

Through the presentation on the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), panel discussions and updates on Codex work, the workshop aimed to raise awareness of government officials, industry, academia and consumers on the functioning of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and of the National Codex Committee. The workshop provided also an opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm and share ideas on Rwanda's active and sustainable participation in Codex and to identify mechanisms to support the use and implementation of Codex standards.

Speaking at the opening, Mr Emmanuel Gatera, National Standards Division Manager, RSB, commended the progress made in increasing the participation of the country in the Codex work while establishing an effective National Codex Committee. In concluding his intervention, Mr Gatera noted the need for further efforts engage all key actors in the activities of the NCC. 

Dr Blaise Ouatarra, Food Safety and Quality Officer at Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Regional Office for Africa, informed participants about the consequences of consuming unsafe food, presenting detailed data on the burden of foodborne disease. Mr Ouattara further called for the active participation and contribution of all actors along the food chain to ensure that everyone has access to safe food.

Participants agreed to put more efforts in increasing awareness on the work of CAC, National Codex Committees and on food safety and called upon political institutions, standardisation bodies, regulatory authorities, research institutes and interested partners to collaborate and accelerate the development of the food data collection and information dissemination strategy. It was further highlighted the need for allocating funds to support the participation of experts in standards development and awareness raising activities with the contribution of the Government, development partners, industry, civil society organizations and research institutions.

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