Food Safety

Little in the way of foodborne surveillance is done within regional member countries; as a result the data are extremely scarce.
The high incidence and prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases among new-borns and young children are indications of the alarming food hygiene situation in member states. In addition to severe illness and death, foodborne diarrhoeal diseases cause malnutrition, which can result in stunted or retarded growth of children and also weaken resistance to disease.
Although outbreaks of acute poisoning are more and more recurrent in the region, inadequate or non-existent surveillance facilities hinder the assessment of chemical contamination on health.

A number of interrelated and mutually reinforcing set of problems keeps foodborne disease at a high level within the region at the core is poverty.
Poverty promotes the sale of affordable food in public places that unfortunately tend to be characterized by low levels of hygiene.
The lack of legislation and limited facilities for controlling the quality of imported foodstuffs further compound the challenges faced by member states.
\
The overarching goal of the food safety programme is to assist member countries to ensure consumer protection and significantly reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses through the application of preventive and scientific based approaches and strategies.

The programme pursues this goal by:
Assisting countries to streamline food safety considerations into various health systems and programmes,

Advising member states to elaborate legislation and standards in this field,

Collaborating with national governments and international partners in the development and implementation of prevention and control strategies for foodborne disease outbreaks;

Promoting/strengthening food surveillance and assessment in member states.

Disseminating information and educational materials on food safety;