KENYA – The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health in Kenya are inviting stakeholders to submit their views on the proposed food safety regulations.
The Ministries are working in conjunction to review the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act Cap 254 and related laws that will see the establishment of a national food safety agency.
In addition, the review will also inform the finalization of the draft Food Safety policy which seeks to provide a workable framework in the food system. The two Ministries will jointly review the existing laws to accommodate the regulatory regimes and proposals in order to provide for an enhanced food safety system. The scope of the respective regulatory agencies in matters of Food Safety standards, environment, agriculture and health will be clearly defined in the proposed legislation for better coordination and effectiveness.
Under the proposed food safety policy, the regulations of food safety will remain separated from the regulations of human medicines and devices; veterinary medicines and devices. The two ministries will review to strengthen the laws regulating human medicines and devices as well as veterinary medicines and devices to support the safety system agenda. In addition, they will review the daft national food safety policy to inform the legislative proposal.
The ministries said in a statement that the overall goal of the policy is to establish and maintain a national, integrated farm-to-fork food system that establish a coordination mechanism.
“This will ensure the protection of public safety and food trade consistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement on the Sanitary and PhytoSanitary (SPS) Protocol measures and other international requirements,” according to the statement issued.
The two ministries in consultation with stakeholders will review the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act Chapter 254 to provide for a national food safety agency. The agency will have an oversight and coordinating role for all agencies involved in food safety and regulatory mandate in all areas that are currently unregulated. The review will establish a coordination mechanism with other food safety agencies.
According to the statement, a task force has been established to deliver an acceptable food safety policy and law during the financial year 2019/2020.
The ministries are inviting all stakeholders of food safety to make presentations to the joint secretariat of the task force to inform the reviews and finalization of the draft Food Safety policy. Stakeholder have been given up to the close of business on September 30 to present their views to the Ministries for consideration.
The Ministries say that the draft policy can be accessed on the websites www.kilimo.go.ke or www.health.go.ke. They can send their proposals to email address: kenyafoodsafetyagency@gmail.com
Food safety & quality summit planned in 2020
There is a revamped interest in overhauling food safety regulations in a number of African countries, as weak laws and lax enforcement of applicable food safety and standards take its toll on the Continent.
Find out more at http://www.foodbusinessafrica.com/2019/09/18/kenya-invites-proposals-in-draft-food-safety-policy-in-a-bid-to-strengthen-regulations/ or sign up to access the event on the website www.foodsafetyafrica.net
