Rédaction Africa Links 24 with DAVIS AYEGA
Published on 2024-03-12 08:39:02
Kenya has taken a significant step towards strengthening its food safety regulations and advancing hygiene practices to combat food-related illnesses in the country. This commitment was announced during the 54th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), which is being hosted in Nairobi from March 11 to March 15, 2024. The event is a joint effort between the Kenyan government and the United States of America.
During the session, Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano (Trade), Susana Nakhumicha (Health), and Mithika Linturi (Agriculture) reaffirmed Kenya’s dedication to setting global food safety benchmarks and safeguarding consumer health. Trade CS Miano emphasized the importance of enhancing food hygiene and standards, especially with Kenya’s involvement in international trade markets.
Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha emphasized the transition from curative to preventive healthcare in Kenya, highlighting hygiene and sanitation as foundational elements of primary healthcare. She stressed the significance of promoting public health and well-being through food safety measures to prevent diseases caused by food contamination.
In light of Kenya’s past encounters with outbreaks such as cholera, CS Nakhumicha underscored the country’s commitment to investing in community education on safe food handling and storage practices to prevent foodborne illnesses. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Linturi reiterated the ministry’s dedication to ensuring that Kenya’s food production adheres to international standards and hygiene protocols.
Esther Ngari, Managing Director of KEBS, reassured participants of Kenya’s commitment to food safety standards through rigorous market surveillance and high compliance levels across all food products sold in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 600 million cases of foodborne diseases occur annually worldwide, resulting in 420,000 deaths each year.
Children under the age of 5 are among the most vulnerable demographics, with 125,000 deaths occurring annually within this age group alone. Diarrheal diseases are a significant contributor to these statistics, especially prevalent in regions like Africa. The commitment made by Kenya at the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene reflects the country’s proactive approach towards ensuring food safety and preventing food-related illnesses.
In conclusion, Kenya’s pledge to strengthen food safety regulations and advance hygiene practices is a crucial step towards safeguarding public health and well-being. Through collaborative efforts between government ministries and regulatory bodies, Kenya aims to establish high-quality standards that will ensure food security and hygiene for its citizens. By prioritizing food safety measures and investing in education and compliance, Kenya is taking proactive steps to combat food-related illnesses and promote a healthier population.
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