Food control in Zimbabwe: A situational analysis

The establishment of effective food safety systems is pivotal to ensuring the safety of the national food supply as well as food products for regional and international trade. The development, structure and implementation of modern food safety systems have been driven over the years by a number of developments. These developments include: a reorientation of quality assurance protocols; emphasis on the development of integrated and holistic food safety systems with a farm-to-table approach; increased recognition of the respective roles of the different stakeholders along the food chain; increased food trade coupled with obligations under trade agreements; and advances in the control of foodborne hazards. At its core, a modern food safety system includes enabling food laws, policies, regulations and standards; mechanisms for coordination; operational food inspection and laboratory services as well as national information, education and communication programmes. While progress has been made in some countries in the WHO African Region at modernizing their food safety systems, many others are still grappling with the basics for development of effective food control systems. The traditional food control systems in a number of African countries do not provide the concerned agencies with a clear mandate and authority to prevent food safety problems. Effective food control in a number of these countries is undermined by a number of challenges including limited awareness about food safety, inadequate enabling policy, outdated legislation and regulations; inadequate coordination; and inadequate capacity and resources for food safety. This paper reviews the components of a modern national food safety control system and examines efforts at strengthening national food safety control systems in the African Region. It includes experiences from countries that have made efforts at strengthening their national food safety control systems in view of current developments. The paper further discusses some of the challenges of food control systems in the Region and prospects for improvements. It concludes by suggesting the way forward for improving national food safety control systems in the Region.

Governments have the responsibility to ensure food safety and meet the obligations of the World Trade Organisation. One way of achieving this objective is by establishing food control systems. Food control systems need to be continually evaluated for improvement and to achieve higher food safety status. This paper assesses the usefulness of a stakeholder analysis and the use of an index in the evaluation of a food control system in a developing country context, that is Mauritius. The methodology applied, comprised a literature review and a questionnaire-based stakeholder analysis. On average stakeholders believed that components of the food control system and compliance of the food industry were adequate. The response of participants from governmental bodies was however different from that of representatives of non-governmental bodies for administration, enforcement, institutional mechanism for consultation and policy-making on national food standards and regulations and opportunities to make views known to the Codex through the Government. These could indicate problem areas. With respect to the index devised for assessing a FCS, Mauritius was classified as a country with a satisfactory food control system. It is interesting to see how these findings tally with previous studies although it is fully acknowledged that the methodological approaches and the timeframes differ. The stakeholder analysis thus presented evidence of the status of the Mauritian Food Control System (MFCS) and allowed a rapid but thorough assessment of the overall system. Given that no work has been carried out before to develop a food control index and categorise a food control system, further research is warranted to validate this methodology. Based on the stakeholder analysis, it is recommended that monitoring of the food control system be increased and the roles of local stakeholders in food control be redefined. The interaction between regulatory and non-governmental bodies should also be increased.

Governments have the responsibility to ensure food safety and meet the obligations of the World Trade Organisation. One way of achieving this objective is by establishing food control systems. Food control systems need to be continually evaluated for improvement and to achieve higher food safety status. This paper assesses the usefulness of a stakeholder analysis and the use of an index in the evaluation of a food control system in a developing country context, that is Mauritius. The methodology applied, comprised a literature review and a questionnaire-based stakeholder analysis. On average stakeholders believed that components of the food control system and compliance of the food industry were adequate. The response of participants from governmental bodies was however different from that of representatives of non-governmental bodies for administration, enforcement, institutional mechanism for consultation and policy-making on national food standards and regulations and opportunities to make views known to the Codex through the Government. These could indicate problem areas. With respect to the index devised for assessing a FCS, Mauritius was classified as a country with a satisfactory food control system. It is interesting to see how these findings tally with previous studies although it is fully acknowledged that the methodological approaches and the timeframes differ. The stakeholder analysis thus presented evidence of the status of the Mauritian Food Control System (MFCS) and allowed a rapid but thorough assessment of the overall system. Given that no work has been carried out before to develop a food control index and categorise a food control system, further research is warranted to validate this methodology. Based on the stakeholder analysis, it is recommended that monitoring of the food control system be increased and the roles of local stakeholders in food control be redefined. The interaction between regulatory and non-governmental bodies should also be increased.

Background: Many health problems encountered today arising from consumption of unsafe food. Contamination of food and feeds arising from naturally occurring toxicants, microbiological contaminants, chemical contaminants such as additives used above the permitted levels, pesticide and veterinary residues in food or as toxic components from food processing could have deleterious effects in humans and animals. Food control measures are critical in fostering food safety management of a nation. Methods: In depth review of the existing legislation on food safety and hygiene and the food control system was done. International literature and reports were reviewed to compare the current global situation and the Sri Lankan situation. In depth interviews were conducted among the Public Health Inspectors who comprise the majority of authorized officers Results: The food control legislation which was enacted in 1980 has been amended only twice in 1991 and 2011. There are over 50 Regulations brough in time to time under the Food Act of 1980. The food control system is mainly centralized and the implementation is done mainly at the level of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH). Many provisions of the legislation are outdated and needs revisions. The perception of the Public Health Inspectors reveled that a vast majority are not satisfied with the current food control system and are the opinion that the improvements should be made in all areas related to the food control system. Conclusion: The food control system in Sri Lanka should be revisited and be improved and updated to be in line with the current global trends. The capacities of the analytical system as well as the authorized officers should be improved in order to ensure effective implementation of the food control system.

Food control systems are being established or revamped in many countries because of problems occurring along the food chain and the obligations of governments towards the World Trade Organization. The main components of an ideal food control system are food legislation, administration, enforcement and supporting bodies like analytical services and consumer organizations. Mauritius introduced modern legal instruments in 1998 in an attempt to reinvigorate food control. This article describes the components of the Mauritian Food Control System (MFCS). An appraisal of these components is then made. The methodology comprised a literature review and in-depth interviews with key informants and stakeholders of the local food control system. Although much progress was made with the introduction of new food legislation in 1998, other components of the local system like enforcement and various supporting bodies did not receive appropriate support. Other countries could use the lessons drawn from the Mauritian experience while setting up or upgrading their food control systems.

Food control defines activities, along the food supply chain, that provide consumer protection and ensure that all foods provided for human consumption are wholesome, conform to safety and quality requirements, and are accurately labelled as prescribed by law. This review analysed the capacity and performance of the existing food control system in Uganda, with specific focus on the rice value chain. This study targeted food safety laws, regulations and agreements to which Uganda is signatory for gaps in, and opportunities for improvement of food control along the rice value chain. The operational components of a food control system including inspection, testing, certification, enforcement, and surveillance controls along the rice value chain were investigated. The analysis established there is a significant threat to food safety due to outdated laws, uncoordinated regulatory framework, overlapping mandates, limited testing capacity, inadequate human resource, limited awareness of contaminants and lack of epidemiological data on food outbreaks along the rice value chain. Food control systems must strike a balance between food security, food safety, market access gains and protection of public health.

Evaluating elements of national food control system: Indian context

In Japan, there was a drastic change in food control system, which was brought about by problems with BSE. Food Safety Basic Law was newly enacted and Food Hygiene Law, Japanese Agricultural Standards Law and so on were revised. Food Safety Commission was newly established for risk assessment, and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare were reorganized on food safety. National Food Research Institute (NFRI) works for improvement of technology for food analysis, development of technology to ensure food safety and so on. Objects of food analysis are inorganic elements, acrylamide, mycotoxins, functional components, genetically modified organisms, varieties of rice and so on. Proficiency testing schemes (PTs) were introduced to NFRI for reliability of food analysis. Certified reference materials (CRMs) of food related materials prepared in Japan, and PTs provided by Japanese organization were limited. It is requested for Japanese organizations to prepare new CRMs and provide many kinds of PTs for solution of peculiar problems.

The food control system in Saudi Arabia – Centralizing food control activities

The chapter discusses the food quality and safety control system in the Kyrgyz Republic. Specifically, the chapter introduces current socio-economic situation, characterization of the domestic food market, and elements of the national food control system upon adopting a series of new regulations since 2004. The new food safety system is progressively setting up, but there are a number of problems that holds back the implementation of new approaches to the assurance of food safety. These problems are mainly related to the underdeveloped national economy and poor socio-economic status of the population. As a result, a number of urgent measures are proposed concerning strengthening the discipline and responsibility in controlling food supply chain, implementation of widely practiced food quality and specific food safety management and control systems, enhancing analytical capabilities and capacities, wider involvement of the society into food safety control, and increasing skills and competence.KeywordsFood safetyFood qualityFood supply chainKyrgyz Republic

Purpose In Pakistan, a developing economy with a diverse and complex food supply chain, ensuring food safety is critical to protect public health and foster economic growth. An integrated Food Control System and alignment of the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) with the food safety regulatory framework are essential for ensuring food safety and market competitiveness. This paper assesses the state of Pakistan's NQI and Food Control System, highlighting key challenges and proposing targeted solutions. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method approach was used, combining qualitative insights from expert opinions and policy documents with quantitative data from government reports. The analysis integrated the NQI model with an overarching Food Control System to assess Pakistan's food safety framework. A SWOT analysis was conducted to identify key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, providing actionable recommendations for policymakers. Findings The evaluation highlights that the apex organizations for metrology, standards and accreditation are well-established with robust international and regional linkages. The approval of Pakistan National Quality Policy 2021 signifies a significant milestone and sets expectations for enhancing the country's NQI. Our analysis reveals key challenges, including the need for a national food safety strategy, an integrated food safety system and a farm-to-fork continuum in the food supply chain to strengthen the food safety system in Pakistan. Practical implications Implementing the recommendations presented in this study can lead to a more efficient and resilient Food Control System in Pakistan. Originality/value This study addresses a critical research gap by providing a comprehensive assessment of Pakistan's NQI for food safety within the framework of an integrated Food Control System. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, guiding the development of a resilient and effective NQI that seamlessly supports the country's Food Control System.

Purpose This review aims to identify key challenges within national food control systems in response to significant transformations in the food supply chain, the alarming global landscape and emerging threats to food safety. With limited empirical validation of national performance, the study highlights the urgent need for strengthened control mechanisms, especially given the estimated loss of 33 million healthy life years annually due to unsafe food. By employing a systematic literature review, this study seeks to uncover underlying obstacles hindering effective food safety control at a national scale, ultimately providing insights to assist policymakers in developing targeted interventions, refining regulations and enhancing global food security and health. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify challenges in food safety control across various countries, utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) methodology for an unbiased literature search. Searches were conducted on Google Scholar and ScienceDirect between April 4th 2024 and 26th March 2025, using keywords related to food policy, food control system, governance and challenges. The review limited its scope to peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2014 and April 2024, resulting in 45 selected articles. These articles were analysed to uncover main challenges affecting national food control and to assess the state of food control across countries, their key factors, gaps and potential interventions. Findings The findings indicate that administrative flaws (53%) were the most prevalent challenge, followed by inadequate response capacity (43%), poor communication and information dissemination (43%), resource constraints (37%) and insufficient competency (20%). The analysis highlights that developed regions struggle with inspector shortages and outdated risk management systems amid increasing globalization and rising food imports. Meanwhile, developing regions face weak enforcement mechanisms, inadequate infrastructure and financial constraints. The growing digital divide further undermines transparency and traceability. While public food safety systems often suffer from bureaucracy, private systems risk inconsistency. Research limitations/implications The study acknowledges that relying exclusively on the two databases for the SLR methodology may result in the omission of relevant studies indexed in specialized or regional databases. In minimizing this drawback, cross-referencing the references of selected articles was conducted to identify any significant studies that might have been overlooked. Originality/value The originality of this review study lies in its timely examination of food safety challenges within the context of rapidly evolving global food systems across 30 selected countries worldwide. Notably, the study seeks to identify both similarities and disparities in food control challenges worldwide, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of potential gaps in food safety governance on a global scale. This approach enhances the understanding of food safety issues and highlights areas requiring targeted interventions, making a valuable contribution to the field.

The food control system in the country should be effective and able to ensure the safety and quality of food. The study aimed to assess the current situation of the food control system in Libya. The mandates of food control are fragmented among different bodies, which sometimes perform the same functions and thus cause an unnecessary burden on the country's budget. Although there appear to be activities related to national standards that align with international standards, the 1973 health law has yet to be updated. The food inspection has not been based on a risk analysis. Also, there are inadequate laboratory support services, and laboratories are unaccredited. There is also an absence of action plans in both the short and long term for information, communication, and education. The inspectors need training, especially in risk-based inspections. Importantly, analysts' lack of expertise makes determining the compliance of food products with Libyan legislation difficult. Poor-quality and unsafe foods enter Libya due to the control system's weakness and the political crisis; therefore, the government should implement an integrated food control system to improve the situation. As well, the United Nations should politically support Libya's stability.

Public Health Measures: Food Control and Public Health Laboratories

A situation analysis of the food control systems in Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries