By Chisomo Phiri
The Ministry of Health has developed a food safety and hygiene policy aimed at uniting all stakeholders to ensure that everyone takes responsibility for food hygiene.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Deputy Director for Community and Preventive Health at the Ministry of Health,Kondwani Mamba,at Katelera Primary School in Salima District during the commemoration of World Food Day.
Mamba emphasized that everyone has a role in ensuring that the food consumed is hygienic, and this needs to be improved nationwide.
He also highlighted that the policy will be implemented through various priority areas, including food safety and hygiene, health and safety, vector and disease prevention and control, water, sanitation, and hygiene, emergencies, climate change, and human health.
“We need to be updated on emerging issues to track the journey of food products through the supply chain, making it easier to identify and address issues if a food safety problem arises.
“By preparing for unforeseen challenges, we can safeguard not just our products but the health of our consumers,” he said.
On his part, health promotion officer for World Health Organization (WHO),Hudson Kubwalo, commended the government’s efforts in developing the national food policy and called for increased awareness of food hygiene.
He stated that this could enhance trade in the international market. Ephraim Manthepa, chairperson for Salima District Council, echoed Kubwalo’s sentiments, stressing the importance of educating the public about the necessity of consuming hygienic food.
This year’s World Food Day was celebrated under the theme “Food Safety: Preparing for the Unexpected.”
