Prioritize Food Safety: Consumers Urged to Exercise Vigilance Before Purchasing Foodstuffs for Optimal Health and Well-being.

Wambui Mbarire, CEO of the Retail Trade Association of Kenya, emphasized the crucial role of consumer vigilance in ensuring food safety. She urged consumers to inquire about the safety of their food, regardless of the source, underscoring that food security hinges on prioritizing food safety.

Speaking at a media sensitization meeting on the Food Safety Bill and the upcoming World Food Safety Day on June 7, 2024, Mbarire highlighted the intrinsic link between safe food and fundamental human rights. She stressed that unsafe food poses more harm than good and urged consumers to actively engage in understanding the products they consume.

Grace Muchemi, General Manager of Analytical Services at the Pests Control Product Board, emphasized the importance of proper pesticide use in enhancing food safety. She emphasized meticulous adherence to pesticide labels and recommended dosages to mitigate potential toxicity risks.

Brenda Obura, Head of the Division of Food Safety at the Ministry of Health, underscored the necessity of policy enactment to ensure comprehensive food safety across the value chain. She highlighted the proposed Food and Feed Safety Coordination Bill, currently under consideration, as a critical step towards addressing multi-sectoral coordination and regulatory gaps.

Obura explained that policy enactment would streamline regulatory processes and resolve overlaps in mandates among different ministries and government agencies. She also emphasized the need for a neutral regulatory body, such as the proposed Food Safety Controller, to oversee compliance and enforcement efforts.

Furthermore, Obura addressed the issue of counterfeit products in the food value chain, urging food business operators to prioritize consumer safety. She reiterated that ensuring the safety of food is paramount for achieving food security and emphasized the importance of consumer awareness regarding the source of their food.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.