TANZANIA – The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has encouraged the public to focus on safety when making purchasing decisions to reduce the likelihood of foodborne illnesses and related health issues.
TBS Senior Quality Control Officer Mr Peter Musiba urged business owners to register their food and cosmetic premises for ensuring public health and safety.
“This process involves verifying that facilities adhere to established health and safety standards, which are crucial for preventing contamination and ensuring the quality of products,” he said.
By acquiring registration, regulatory bodies can monitor compliance, conduct inspections and enforce regulations that protect consumers from potentially harmful products.
“Without such oversight, the risk of food-borne illnesses and adverse reactions to cosmetics increases, posing significant threats to public health,” he said.
Similarly, TBS, Senior Marketing Officer, Ms Deborah Haule, said here at the weekend this proactive approach not only protects individuals but also alleviates the financial burden on healthcare systems.
“Such illnesses not only affect individuals’ health but can also strain healthcare systems and contribute to economic losses due to increased medical expenses and decreased productivity,” she said.
Ms Haule mentioned that this change in consumer behavior motivates companies to adopt improved practices, ultimately boosting product safety and quality.
The new United Nations report expects the current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100.
Tanzania is among the nine countries expected to contribute to half of the world’s population.
By order of their expected contribution to total growth: India, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, the United States of America, Uganda and Indonesia.
There are growing concerns regarding street vendors selling food by the roadside, with many questioning their knowledge of food safety and hygiene practices.
Some people still believe in the misconception that consuming unsanitary food strengthens immunity.
“How accurate is that?” asked Shimbo Pastory, a social transformation advocate. He criticized this mindset, noting, “It’s inappropriate to normalize such conditions when we witness people dying from the very same causes.”
Pastory further emphasized the importance of teaching children early on to avoid eating food that is dirty, handled with unclean hands, or consumed in unsanitary environments.
The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) also states, “Food producers must ensure their products comply with the established standards, safeguarding consumers’ health while enabling market access.”
TBS added that all stakeholders should understand the hazards related to food production, transportation, storage, and sales, and implement necessary controls to ensure the food delivered to consumers is safe and suitable for consumption (TBS: Standards and Food Safety, 3rd June 2022).
