In Mauritius, FAO concludes an evaluation of the national food control system

Last week FAO concluded an eight-month assessment of Mauritius’ food control system with a final workshop in Port Louis where high-level policy makers endorsed the recommendations of the final report of the assessment and committed to implementing its strategic plan. The assessment is part of "Strengthening of Capacities and Governance in Food and Phytosanitary Control,” a 5-million-euro project funded by the European Union which began in November 2022. The project entails providing technical support and working with Competent Authorities and other leading institutions in 11 African Union Member Countries. It is designed to build up capabilities, strengthen governance and improve strategic planning around two main components: food safety and plant health. 

The initiative aligns with the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Policy Framework for Africa, a framework developed by the African Union (AU) laying the foundations for trade opportunities among AU Member States. This project is implemented in close partnership with the African Commission Division for Rural Economy and Agriculture (AUC DARBE).

Similar assessments were successfully completed in the last two months in Comoros, Kenya and, more recently, in Eswatini and in the Seychelles. Strategic workshops are scheduled to take place throughout the coming months as the assessments reach their final stages across the participating countries. 

Assessment of the national food control system in Mauritius

Project activities in Mauritius which began with an inception and training workshop in February 2023 consisted of a team of food safety experts from FAO working closely with 21 focal points from Competent Authorities for food safety and relevant stakeholders to gather data and information across several dimensions of the system.  Once the data was collected and analysed, the FAO team conducted field visits and interviews, and produced a draft report on the status of the country’s food control system with recommendations to improve it. 

Pivotal to the project was the introduction of the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool, a unique instrument developed by both United Nations agencies to assess the national food control system in a comprehensive manner, by looking at the entire food chain, including production, distribution, retail market and consumers. 

Ultimately, the assessment aims to assist Mauritius in adhering to international standards that will allow greater harmonization and trade in the region.

Conclusion of the project and the final workshop

The final workshop was the culmination of the assessment, with stakeholders, experts and officials from ministries involved in Mauritius’ food control system convening to review and endorse findings and recommendations of the assessment, agree on priorities and develop a strategic action plan to facilitate their implementation. 

Workshop participants expressed enthusiasm about the process. "The whole workshop and the assessment process was a gift,” commented Jugdutsingh Rampudaruth from the Mauritius Revenue Authority.

The key moment of the workshop was on 26 October, when high-level officials from Ministries across the country’s food control system approved and endorsed the recommendations and a shared vision, committing to implement the strategic action plan stemming from the assessment, promote synergies and engage donors. “The results of the food control system assessment will help to harmonize all the services provided by the competent authorities of Mauritius,” said Samila Devi Gobalakisnin from the Mauritius Standard Bureau, adding “to identify gaps in the present system and find corrective actions for a better food safety regime.”

The outcomes of the assessment and last week’s workshop will help shape the future of food safety in Mauritius.

The next country to conclude the assessment is Rwanda, where the final workshop will be held on 14-17 November. More countries using the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool and completing food control assessments contributes to greater adherence to international standards, increased harmonization and more trade in the region. 

Read more about the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool  

Read more about the Republic of Mauritius

Photo: © FAO/Satyen Bhujun