EAGC participated in the National Food Safety Workshop convened by the Agricultural Sector Network (ASNET) and hosted by KEBS at Jacaranda Hotel on 20th July, 2022. The objective of the workshop was to establish the role of Codex in Food Safety and in enhancing collaboration towards harmonized regulatory environment.
During the workshop, it was noted that Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendation relating to food, food production and food safety. Further, it was also noted that Codex Alimentarius is responsible for setting international standards for safety and hygiene whose objective is to protect consumers’ health and ensure fair practices in food trade.
Codex Alimentarius is governed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which was established by FAO and WHO in 1963 and has over 180 member countries and over 200 intergovernmental and international nongovernmental organizations as observers.
The objective of CAC is to establish standards, codes of practice, guidelines and recommendations concerning foods aimed at protecting consumers’ health, ensuring fair practices in trade, and facilitating international trade.
The workshop highlighted the need to build the resilience of Food safety systems for sustainable access to safe and nutritious food, given the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on food systems. In addition, due to the complex nature of the food safety process which starts from the farm to the consumer level, the workshop called for the consideration of the food safety risk assessment
The workshop also called for the harmonization of the regulatory environment between Pest Control Produce Board , KEPHIS and AFA Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). In addition, stakeholders were urged to cultivate a culture of food safety from the grassroot level and integrate the culture as a way of life.
