NGARI AND KAMAU: More efforts needed to promote food safety

Globally, it is well known that the uptake of healthy diets—fruits and vegetables—is an all-important aspect in promoting and maintaining healthy bodies whilst preventing the attack from chronic illnesses.

In Kenya, the population is rising yearly thus pushing the demand for the consumption of nutritious diets.

This suggests that farmers are being forced to produce food in surplus because of the burgeoning demands.

Sadly, it has, however, skyrocketed the entry of contaminated foods and vegetables into the market, which presents foodborne hazards that are great drivers of diseases and represent a significant share of the global burden of diseases, particularly in the Sub-Saharan region.

Over the years, food safety concerns have been largely ignored by relevant stakeholders with serious consequences for Kenyan consumers.

It is evident from recent reports that the majority of Kenyans are or have been consuming heavily contaminated and unsafe foods and beverages which consequently lead to diseases.

Despite the government laying out comprehensive policies to protect consumers from foodborne diseases, they continue to experience numerous food safety threats.

They are contaminated vegetables that are grown along sewer lines, the sale of fresh meat with toxic chemicals, peanut butter and maize floor brands containing aflatoxin, which is a naturally occurring fungus that is harmful to humans and animals.

Some supermarkets and green groceries have in the recent past been found to use harmful chemical products to preserve their products to keep them fresh and avoid losses.

According to the Food-Borne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group, a panel of experts convened by the World Health Organization, estimated that Food Borne Diseases have been responsible for a comparable number of illnesses and deaths in Africa.

Countrywide, food quality and safety systems are legally controlled by various government agencies under different ministries.

These agencies are responsible for surveillance of food safety in the country and aim to disseminate information on the code of hygiene and safe agricultural practices by various stakeholders in the food chain, from the producer to consumers.

However, managing food safety has become a challenging task because of fragmented food chains and the lack of enforcement of government regulations.

According to WHO, consumption of contaminated food leads to more than half a billion cases of illness a year.

The situation is not different here in the country as unsafe foods have led to diseases and fatalities.

The recent risky cases of cancer and other lifestyle diseases such as diabetes are associated with unhealthy food, hence the need to pay more attention to food safety.

The government's effort in addressing food safety and quality is important.

Institution and enforcement of food quality and safety regulations not only among vendors in informal settlements but across the whole food value chain is critical in dealing with food safety hazards.

Consumer sensitisation and everything are important in addressing misconceptions around food safety.

It will help address consumer perceptions and inform their nutrition decisions as they access safe food products.

As a country, we need to prioritise the establishment of an independent body which will have the mandate of verifying the safety and quality of foods, beverages and related products in the country and approving the same for sale.

Additionally, the body will have oversight in the entire food value chain–from production processing, distribution and consumption.

If we don't take immediate actions in addressing food safety in the country, we shall surely perish together.

Communication and media students at Rongo University

 

Edited by Kiilu Damaris