Informal food vendors received training on food safety and customer care at the Rundu and Ongwediva Fresh Produce Business Hub.

The Agro Marketing Trade Agency (AMTA), together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), conducted workshops in Rundu and Ongwediva focused on food safety to the informal food venders.  A total of 40 informal traders were trained for both Rundu and Ongwediva under the theme: “strengthening controls of safety threats, plant and animal pests and disease for agricultural productivity and trade in Southern Africa.”

The programme was aimed at sensitizing food traders on the importance of food safety and quality in relation to trade, health, safety, consumer protection and a sustainable environment, while at the same time promoting the use of best practices in every process towards the value chain.  In 2015, the AMTA revealed plans to introduce the National Food Safety Policy (NFSP) aimed at guarantying safety of all food products traded nationally or exported to other countries.

The manager responsible for food safety and standards at AMTA, Salomon Tsanigab, said the overall objective of the NFSAP is to create national awareness on food safety and hygiene procedures which is to be adopted by consumers, food businesses, and operation and street vendors in order to ensure food safety.  “Vendors have been trained to gain skills and knowledge on food safety and quality management in order to strengthen the capacity of the food handlers,” he said.

Currently, safety guarantees on food products traded nationally or exported to other countries is being carried out with the assistance of Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, Food and Agricultural Organization and the Namibian Informal Sector Association.