Yasir Suliman, Sudanese Consumer Protection Society - Team up for Safety: Food Safety is a shared responsibility
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GUEST BLOG - TEAM UP FOR SAFETY: FOOD SAFETY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
As part of our blog series for World Food Safety Day 2020, we asked consumer advocacy leaders to share how they are taking action to protect our right to safe, healthy and sufficient food.
Yasir Suliman, Secretary General of the Sudanese Consumer Protection Society, offers an overview of the shared responsibilities and solutions underpinning a safer, healthier food system.
Risks associated with consuming unsafe foods can be fatal. Annually, 420.000 lives are lost due to food poisoning worldwide and one in ten people fall ill after eating contaminated foods. These and earlier statistics have drawn attention to the issue and led organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) to work together to mitigate the risks associated with the handling and processing of food.
Causes of foodborne diseases
Various contaminants, described as ‘food safety hazards’, can make their way into food products. These include biological agents such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, but also physical hazards (such as metal shavings and bone fragments) or chemical hazards (including pesticides, detergents, and more).
The different points at which these contaminants can enter the food chain vary, but contamination is often related to unhygienic practices involved in handling various processes, from the initial stages of the supply chain to the storage of the end product.
If we fail to identify the hazard, we cannot not control it
To identify these hazards, focus and careful scrutiny needs to be ensured at every stage of the supply chain, from receiving and processing primary ingredients to making the end product available to consumers. This is the essence of a robust food safety management system, which entails a full engagement of all stakeholders to materialise the ultimate goal – safe food.
For farmers as food growers, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Veterinary Practices (GVP) are a key pre-requisite. Fruits and vegetables in particular require the utmost care, as these food items are mostly consumed fresh.
Scientifically sound practices must also be adopted throughout the cultivation process, from land preparation, weeds and pest control to harvest and storage. Thus, GAP remain a shared responsibility between all stakeholders, in addition to regulatory bodies.
Stakeholders mapping is vital to define responsibilities surrounding food safety
- Food growers, food manufacturers and food service providers need to work hand-in-hand with governmental institutions to set relevant benchmarks and adopt appropriate regulations.
- No matter what national arrangements are in place, governance is needed to assure binding rules and regulations are respected and adhered to by all stakeholders. Institutions responsible for product and material specifications, methodology and practices need to support all aspects required by the relevant food safety standard. For example, organisms tasked with ensuring responsible and rational use of pesticides and herbicides control risks arising from misuse of chemicals by farmers, based on relevant regulations and information, including the WHO list of approved pesticides and herbicides.
- The role of legislative and regulatory institutions:
- Setting and enforcing standards to be met by all stakeholders involved in the food chain to ensure good hygiene practices.
- Establishing and empowering Food Safety Authorities as a focal point to achieve objectives – potentially working with the FAO/WHO International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) to tackle food safety emergencies.
A solution: Pragmatic Food Safety Management Systems
To set up efficient and effective food safety management systems, government regulators must turn to a relevant preventative approach such as Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) and make it mandatory. The CODEX HACCP principles and related support program remain a key solution for food manufacturers and food service providers, although there is always room for improvement, especially when it comes to the standard of the existing food processing and storage facilities. Municipal regulators may also exert some control by stipulating standards to be met for licence to operate for new food businesses. Large scale food manufacturers may go beyond compliance, for example by implementing the latest and most advanced version of a given food safety standard.
Legislation to ensure protection
There must be clear provisions in legislation to empower food businesses to address violations and infringements, including unhygienic practices that can put consumers at risk. Stringent penalties may be imposed on violators, with charges that are commensurate with the level of the liability. Jurisdiction is only effective when consumers know their legal right and duty of care principles.
Food Inspection is a wakeup call
When municipal officials inspect, food handlers and traders respect – inspection is a strong message to food dealers. A joint team of competent food inspectors, public health officers and consumer protection personnel may carry out planned inspection visits to check levels of compliance.
Unplanned visits may also be initiated, for example when potential violations are brought to light or when food poisoning cases are reported. Findings must be supported by evidence and laboratory analysis if the circumstances require it, and violations should be addressed in accordance with current legislation. In this respect, appropriate and ongoing training remains essential to deliver objectives for all stakeholders and keep them abreast of the latest relevant standards and emerging risks.
The role of the media – a key question
The media plays an important role in raising awareness among the community on food safety issues and consumer rights. As such, they have a responsibility in sharing reliable messages on some of the most critical aspects of safety and nutrition, for example: labelling, nutritional information, expiry dates, storage temperature, packing method, etc.
Media outlets can use creative tools such as cartoons to convey essential messages, as well as addressing issues on TV and local radio, to make the information available in local dialects and across several platforms.
Consumer Protection – a noble business
Raising awareness about consumer protection among a community is a vast but crucial and praiseworthy task, especially when it comes to protecting people from the serious health effects associated with consuming unsafe food. This mission cannot be carried out without determination and dedication, and without considering the full scope of the issue and the diverse stakeholders involved in the process.
Sustained and more focused awareness programmes emphasizing consumer rights remain an essential function of the consumer protection association, as well as legal support. But partnerships with a range of stakeholders are also pivotal to ensure effective protection of consumers against foodborne diseases.