The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched a food control assessment tool kit in Uganda, to assist in tracking and improving the safety of foods.
The launch happened on 24th April 2023, at Hotel Africana, during a training that brought together different stakeholders within the agricultural sector to discuss food safety. Uganda continues to grapple with food safety issues, which prompted the government to partner with FAO last year in developing the food control system tool kit.
This development comes as a boost towards ensuring the safety of our diets and health. The Food Rights Alliance, an organization at the fore front of advocating for food equity and Justice in Uganda, was part of the launch and discussion led by FAO. The FRA is currently, among its programs, implementing the Joint Actions for Aflatoxin Control (JAAC) project, that’s aimed at creating awareness and building competency in a movement to fight dangers posed by the aflatoxins risks in Uganda.
The FAO aflatoxins assessment and control tool kit, therefore, comes as handy in training, data collection and assessment in equipping different actors in the food value chains. The training by FAO helped equip stakeholders and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with knowledge and skills in aflatoxins control.
FAO believes that a thorough assessment of the food control systems will go far in identifying current strengths and weaknesses within the country, so that strategies can be devised to make food safer for consumption and competitive for the market.
During the training, participants were taken through the different components of the assessment tool, including risk analysis, regulatory frameworks, food inspection, laboratory testing, and monitoring and surveillance. They were also trained on how to collect and analyze data, and how to use the results to develop effective food safety strategy and campaigns.
Agnes Kirabo, the Chief Executive Director of Food Rights Alliance said the FAO food control assessment tool is a key milestone in Uganda’s efforts to improve food safety; “It provides a transparent and structured approach to monitoring and improving the quality and safety of the food we eat,” Kirabo noted.
Adding that: “With continued efforts from all stakeholders, CSOs and Government, we can ensure that Uganda’s food control system is efficient, effective, and responsive to the changing needs of the population.”
By Esther Namirimu
Programs Officer- Advocacy and communications