Call for Harmonised, Risk-Based Food Safety Enforcement in Zambia
Officials from the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) today participated in an inception meeting in Lusaka aimed at developing a National Food Safety Enforcement Manual.
The ZCSA delegation comprised Elias Kansembe, Regional Manager – South under the Domestic Quality Monitoring Department; Brian Hatyoka, Manager – Communications and Public Relations; and Michael Mulenga, Inspector under the Import Quality Monitoring Department.
The meeting was hosted by the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP) II and brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Irish Embassy, the Ministry of Health, the Sustainable Food Systems Ireland Team, and the Zambia–Ireland Sustainable Food Systems Strengthening Programme.
Other institutions represented included the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Lusaka City Council, the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), and the University of Zambia, among others.
ZATP Manager Golden Makayi said the objective of the meeting was to support a more harmonised, risk-based approach to food safety enforcement. He noted that this would enable agencies to focus resources where risks are highest, reduce duplication of work among institutions, and improve coordination of food safety controls.
He added that such an approach is critical given the many institutions involved in food safety, animal health, plant health, customs, standards, and laboratory services in Zambia.
In a presentation to delegates, Mr Mulenga reaffirmed ZCSA’s commitment to monitoring the quality and safety of food products on the market through conformity assessment. He said the Agency plays a key role in protecting the public from health hazards associated with unsafe foods and non-compliant products.
“ZCSA conducts public sensitisation on the dangers of consuming unsafe foods and using non-compliant products. We also follow up on reported cases of unsafe foods and other products found on the market,” Mr Mulenga said.
Other speakers at the meeting called for greater harmonisation of enforcement approaches and clearer definition of roles and responsibilities among players in the food safety sector. Presenters also highlighted weak coordination among enforcement agencies as a key challenge.
During the question-and-answer session, Mr Kansembe proposed the creation of a national food safety portal that would allow stakeholders in the food safety industry to access and share information more effectively.
Food safety refers to ensuring that food is clean, safe for consumption, and does not cause illness. It involves proper handling, preparation, cooking, and storage of food to prevent contamination by germs and bacteria.
ZCSA conducts comprehensive inspections of food manufacturing facilities, covering raw materials, production processes, packaging materials, and labelling before products are released onto the market. These inspections are aimed at safeguarding consumer health and reducing the incidence of foodborne diseases.
