Developing a risk-based control system for imported foods in Madagascar

26/10/2023

Food in Madagascar is heavily dominated by imported products. The effective and efficient control of food imports is essential to protect consumer health. Efficient control of imported food is also essential to facilitate trade in Madagascar and to ensure consumers have ready and sustained access to safe and nutritious food.

This was confirmed by the organizers of a workshop and programme to develop a risk-based control system for food imported to Madagascar, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Consumption in Antananarivo, from 16 to 20 October 2023.

In the framework of the support by FAO to the COMESA trade facilitation programme, funded by the 11th EDF of the European Union, more specifically sub-area 4.1.2 “Advanced process of adoption of good practices in food import control and in domestic food facility inspection”, FAO’s supporting the Government of Madagascar to strengthen Madagascar’s food control system and support competent authorities modernize food import controls in line with international best practices including guidelines developed by Codex, FAO and WHO.

The workshop provided background, training and support for various competent authorities to develop risk-based food import framework for Madagascar according to principles and guidance in the FAO Risk-Based Imported Food Control Manual (2016).

The focus and outcomes from the workshop included:

Better understanding and application of principles and practices for risk-based control of imported food based on the FAO Manual;
Analysis of current food import profile in Madagascar: including what, who, how and from where foods are imported;
Building a risk-categorization framework for imported food control – including defining risk-based management actions for pre-border, border and post-border operations;
Definition of resource requirements to implement the framework: including import databases, analytical service needs, and coordination with other border agencies;
Development of an import risk management work-flow and SOP outline using the risk framework; and
Sensitization of food business operators (importers) on Good Importing Practice and harmonized SOP for food inspection.

“Effective control of food imports is essential to facilitate import processes and ensure easy and continuous supply to the market,” said Aloys Nizigiyimana, Deputy FAO Representative to Madagascar. “Like foods produced within the country, foods that are imported need to be safe and of adequate quality to ensure consumers can safely consume them,” he added.

“This workshop will strengthen collaboration between all competent authorities responsible for food import control and it was an opportunity to review the structure and processes of control of imported food to Madagascar in order to move to more efficient and effective control and avoid risks," said Razanakoto Isidore, Director General of Trade and Consumption of Madagascar.

FAO and WHO have worked jointly to offer Members tools and guidance to design and operate effective food control systems. The FAO Risk-Based Imported Food Control Manual (2016) shows that effective imported food control systems require:

Clear food control legislation based on risk;
Good linkages with the domestic food control system – including importers, food businesses and consumers;
Competent authorities having appropriate resources for food import inspection and enforcement;
Strong coordination between competent authorities responsible for food safety and border control; and
Food importers knowing and using good importing practices in line with regulations.

Developing a risk-based control system for imported foods in Madagascar

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