Abstract
Improving food safety and hygiene is integral to the successful attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Foodborne diseases continue to impose a high burden on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly children under five years, and meeting stipulated conditions for both domestic and export markets can be challenging. This paper reports a situation analysis exploring the challenges faced in the food safety sector in LMICs, using Malawi as an example. The analysis used a desk and policy review, literature search, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to provide national data, which was then subject to thematic analysis. The analysis established there is a significant threat to public health and market access due to uncoordinated, outdated or incomplete regulatory framework, poorly defined mandates, limited infrastructure, lack of equipment and skilled personnel, inadequate resources, and limited awareness and ability to comply with standards. Food safety and hygiene improvements must strike a balance between market access gains and protection of public health. To achieve this, the sector requires effective integration at national level in food security, nutrition, health, economic development, agriculture, and poverty reduction. Solutions for each country must be context-specific and take into consideration national realities if they are to be successful.
Highlights
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) envisage “a world where we reaffirm our commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and where there is improved hygiene; and where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious” [1]
Attainment of effective food safety systems in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) is inextricably linked to the SDGs and must be embedded in food security, nutrition, disease prevention, water, sanitation and hygiene, economic development, and poverty reduction programs at a national and regional level
As outlined in the WHO’s Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water, “there remains a discrepancy between global aspirations and national realities” in terms of the SDGs (p. ix)
Summary
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) envisage “a world where we reaffirm our commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and where there is improved hygiene; and where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious” [1]. The Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG) recently reported that foodborne disease has a health burden equal to, or in excess of, malaria, HIV/AIDS, or tuberculosis, with 98% of the burden falling on Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and children [2]. Within these settings, foodborne disease is exacerbated by the burden imposed on an understaffed and over-utilized healthcare system, and the associated reduced productivity. These are further compounded by emerging issues such as aflatoxin control and antimicrobial resistance, which are introducing new and complex concerns for human health into the food chain [2,3,4,5,6,7]
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