Nairobi, Kenya

In Kenya, this year’s WFSD celebrations were spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, in collaboration with key players of the National Food Control System. The event brought together government ministries, departments and agencies, the private sector, development partners, and scientific institutions in a coordinated effort to promote food safety across the nation.

Virtual Webinars to Galvanize Scientific Collaboration

The national World Food Safety Day celebrations were held on 6 June. The week leading up to World Food Safety Day featured two high-level webinars designed to deepen understanding and application of science in food safety and how science leads to food safety decision making.

On 4 June, key government agencies led a sensitization webinar aimed at educating stakeholders on how science underpins Kenya’s national food safety framework. This session featured presentations on the role of surveillance, risk analysis, laboratory testing, and policy formulation based on Codex standards.

On 5 June, the private sector and development partners took the lead in showcasing how they are applying science-based solutions to meet food safety challenges. Food industry players demonstrated research and innovations in quality assurance, hygiene control, traceability, and the use of data in decision-making.

Culmination in National Physical Celebrations

The week’s events culminated in a national celebration on 6 June at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) grounds, where high-level dignitaries, including Principal Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers of agencies responsible for the national food control system, addressed the stakeholders.

This physical gathering served as a symbolic convergence of Kenya’s food safety ecosystem, affirming the country’s commitment to science-driven regulation, enforcement, and capacity building in food safety management.

Series of Pre-Event Activities: KEBS Led the Way

In the lead-up to these commemorations, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) as the Codex Contact Point for Kenya conducted a series of strategic dissemination events aimed at building awareness and competence among stakeholders across the food chain.

1. General Standard on Food Additives (GSFA) Dissemination Workshop: Demystifying Food Additives Through Science

One of the cornerstone pre-World Food Safety Day activities was a dissemination workshop on the Codex GSFA, targeting stakeholders in baking, meat and fruit and vegetable industries. The workshop provided an in-depth understanding of the scientific basis behind food additive use and regulation.

Participants were introduced to the role of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which evaluates the safety of food additives based on scientific risk assessments. Stakeholders also gained clarity on how the GSFA helps ensure safe levels of additives in food products, supporting both public health and trade.

This dissemination workshop equipped industry players with practical knowledge to correctly interpret and apply GSFA provisions, reinforcing the message that food additives, when scientifically evaluated and properly used, are essential to food safety and quality.

2. Food Hygiene Standards Dissemination to Carrefour Ltd.

As part of targeted industry outreach, KEBS also held a dedicated dissemination forum for Carrefour Limited, a major food business operator and retailer in Kenya. The session focused on food hygiene standards and how science informs food safety policies and practices.

The forum emphasized how scientific principles guide hygiene control from sourcing and transportation to in-store handling and display. Carrefour was commended for its ongoing efforts in aligning with food safety standards and encouraged to continue leading by example in embedding science into its food safety culture.

Kenya’s Commitment to Science in Action

Through these initiatives, Kenya has positioned itself as a regional leader in advocating and advancing food safety through science. KEBS, as the country’s Contact Point, continues to foster partnerships and disseminate technical knowledge to ensure that science is not only understood but actively applied at every level of the food system.

As the nation celebrated World Food Safety Day 2025, Kenya’s message was clear: Food safety is everyone’s responsibility, and science is the engine that drives it forward.

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