FAO backs TZ’s bid to compete in global food markets

TANZANIA: AS Tanzania positions itself to become Africa’s leading food producer, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has pledged strong support to help the country align with international standards and policies, which stand for competitiveness in both regional and global food markets.

FAO’s National Project Coordinator, Mr Diomedes Kalisa said recently during the National Awareness Meeting on Food Safety, Codex Information and their relevance to the national economy that the organisation is committed to ensure Tanzania meets the required criteria to become the major food supplier.

He underscored the need for strong coordination to ensure Tanzania’s alignment with the Codex Alimentarius.

According to the UN agency, the Codex Alimentarius, also known as the food code, is a central component of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, established to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade.

Mr Kalisa who represented FAO’s Tanzania Country Representative, Dr Nyabeni Tipo, urged stakeholders, including authorities along the food value chain to embrace their shared responsibility.

“The food we produce, trade and consume must not only be sufficient in quantity but also safe, nutritious and trustworthy,” he said.

He told participants that ensuring food safety helps build consumer confidence, strengthen the economy and secure Tanzania’s place in the competitive global food system.

He added that the countries that consistently meet food safety requirements can expand their market share, attract foreign investment in agribusiness and foster the growth of value-added industries.

“This in turn creates jobs, improves farmer incomes and strengthens rural economies. In the domestic market, safe food reduces the economic burden caused by foodborne illnesses, which often lead to lost productivity, higher healthcare costs and in severe cases, long-term disability,” Mr Kalisa added.

Delivering his keynote address at the well-attended event, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Dr Suleiman Serera called on all sectors in the country to integrate food safety into their policies and plans, stressing its importance in safeguarding public health and enhancing the competitiveness of Tanzanian products both locally and internationally.

“Food safety is not just a technical matter …it is public power, a passport to trade competitiveness and the foundation for industrial growth,” Dr Serera said.

He also called on local government authorities to be given greater capacity to regulate food standards in both formal and informal markets.

He highlighted the need to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure the use of safe food additives, proper labelling and hygiene across the entire food value chain.

Citing WHO statistics, Dr Serera said more than 91 million people in Africa fall ill each year from unsafe food consumption, with about 137,000 deaths recorded annually.

“This situation causes significant economic losses due to reduced productivity and missed trade opportunities,” he said. He added: “Tanzania cannot achieve its dream of becoming Africa’s basket of safe food without substantial investment in food safety.”

He called on government, the private sector, academic institutions and development partners to work closely together to realise this ambition.

For her part, Director General of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Dr Ashura Katunzi said the bureau continues to promote the implementation of four key policy briefs designed to strengthen food safety nationwide.

Dr Katunzi explained that the policies address challenges across the food value chain from production to consumption.

“These policies include controlling pesticide residues in agricultural and livestock products, preventing food contamination and ensuring safety throughout the entire value chain, from farm to table,” she said.