Kenya is new co-ordinator for food-safety standards

Kenya has taken over from Cameroon as Africa’s host for Codex Coordinating Committee that sets and supervises food safety standards. The 49 member committee known as Codex Alimentarius Africa is expected to come up with regional food standards for the continent during the three-year period.

The standards, which are always aligned to that of the umbrella body, Codex Alimentarius, will boost food standards to guarantee consumer health and facilitate food trade within and beyond the continent.

Speaking during the official handing over ceremony, Industry, Investment and Trade CS Adan Mohamed said that by virtue of hosting the committee, Kenya will be well placed to boost her standards and that of the continent to help grow food industry.

“We need to address food standard challenges such as that of aflatoxins and heavy metals. This can only be through coordinated efforts. Improving standards will help boost our intra-Africa food trade,” said Mohamed. Currently, intra-Africa food trade is at about 12 per cent as compared to other regions in Europe where it is in excess of 50 per cent.