Strengthening Food Safety: FAO Training Program Concludes in Comoros

Last week, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) successfully concluded a crucial training program in Comoros aimed at enhancing the country’s food safety measures. The initiative, supported by a financial contribution from the government of Ireland, is part of a broader FAO effort to improve national food control systems globally. The program focuses on strengthening food safety in light of the country’s reliance on imported food – a challenge highlighted in a recent European Union-funded assessment supported by FAO.

“This type of training helps target the most significant risks in import chains,” said Fatma Marouf from the Department of Food Hygiene and Safety in Comoros.

With Comoros importing around 80% of its food, the training aimed to equip local authorities, academic institutions, and other stakeholders, with the tools necessary for effective risk-based food inspections. These included knowledge of legal frameworks, border control procedures, and how to implement a system that supports both trade and food safety.

“By adopting a risk-focused approach, the competent authorities can allocate resources more effectively, reducing health risks, preventing contamination incidents, and thereby protecting consumers and strengthening public confidence in available products,” said Ms Marouf.

An essential aspect of the training was its emphasis on community involvement in food safety efforts. The project encourages local stakeholders to work together in identifying challenges and developing solutions tailored to Comoros' unique context as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). “This approach fosters collective commitment to adhering to food safety standards,” Ms Marouf explained. “By training local actors in modern methods and technologies for monitoring, traceability, and control, Comoros can establish a resilient system, capable of adapting and responding to new health and phytosanitary challenges.” 

The training sessions included workshops on risk-based inspection methods, legal frameworks, and enforcement strategies, aimed at building a deeper understanding of effective food safety management.

Dr. Abeid Said Nassor, a lecturer at the University of Comoros, explained the value of the program: "The training provided me with essential knowledge to improve food safety practices and inspections through an in-depth study of the legislative and regulatory texts related to food safety.” 

Following the training, the project will have a 12-month duration, culminating in the development of a national legal report with recommendations. This will include the revision of legal instruments and continued capacity-building to raise awareness and improve compliance. The project will also help local workforce create risk profiles for imported food products, classifying them based on risk levels, and piloting a risk-based import inspection program.

These efforts are expected to improve Comoros’ capacity to access both domestic and international markets, paving the way for sustainable economic growth.

The outcomes of this project will significantly advance Comoros' commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of its food supply as the country works to harmonize its food control measures with regional standards. With this project, FAO is providing technical support to help the government implement the strategic action plan developed from the 2023 EU-funded assessment. FAO’s ongoing support will focus on strengthening the country’s food control system, ensuring continuity with past projects and securing the long-term impact of the intervention.