KENYA – The newly proposed Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill, currently under consideration by the Kenya National Assembly, has received backing from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Bill aims to establish a comprehensive framework for regulatory control that fosters collaboration among government agencies and the industry.
The legislation also seeks to create a transparent and inclusive environment for food safety regulation, ensuring that all stakeholders are involved in the process. The USDA, along with the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, collaborated with local stakeholders to draft a new food safety policy and Bill.
The USDA has invested over Sh64.5 million to assist the Kenyan government in the drafting of a comprehensive food and feed safety policy and Bill.
Speaking during a workshop for developing a roadmap for industry capacity building in food safety, State Department for Agriculture Principal Secretary Kiprono Rono, said while food is safe when produced, it can become contaminated during processing and distribution if control measures are inadequate.
The Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) backed the three-day workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of Food Business Operators (FBOs) in Kenya to tackle food safety risks.
The Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been instrumental in supporting Kenya’s efforts to strengthen food safety regulations.
Dr Rono acknowledges that existing laws have not been aligned with modern food safety requirements, leading to inefficiencies and food-related hazards.
To address these challenges, the government is modernizing its food safety system to make it more science- and risk-based.This initiative involves reviewing and aligning food and feed safety policies and legislation with international best practices while considering local conditions.
Mr Damian Ferrese, Acting Regional Agricultural Counselor for the USDA at the US Embassy in Nairobi, emphasized the importance of the proposed legislation.
“The enactment of a food and feed safety policy and legislation is part of a longer journey. We will continue to support programs that improve food security and the economic prosperity of the Kenyan people,” he said.
One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the development of a roadmap for industry capacity building in food safety.
This roadmap outlines the steps necessary to enhance the capacity of food business organizations, including training programs, awareness campaigns, and the establishment of food safety management systems.
The roadmap also highlights the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector in achieving food safety goals. The proposed legislation also aims to enhance the traceability of food products throughout the supply chain.
This will involve implementing robust tracking systems that can trace food products from the farm to the table. Such systems are essential for quickly identifying and addressing food safety issues, thereby minimizing the risk of foodborne illnesses. In addition, the new regulations are expected to boost Kenya’s export market.
By aligning with international food safety standards, Kenyan food products will be more competitive in the global market. This is particularly important for Kenya’s agricultural sector which is a significant contributor to the country’s economy.
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