Journal of Nutraceuticals and Food Science

Interrogating County Food Safety policy of Bungoma Kenya

The Kenyan food safety control system is multi-sectoral in approach and is embodied in various statutes implemented by various Governments and regulatory agencies. The coordination mechanism among these institutions is currently inadequate. This has created inefficiencies in the national and county food safety control system resulting in recurrence of food related hazards, rejections of food shipments by importing countries. The objective of this policy was to put in place effective risk-based controls of food safety system in order to improve the safety and reduce food-borne illnesses. The policy intended to facilitate the protection of public safety and food trade in a manner consistent with World Trade Organization, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards and other international requirements. This policy addressed Food Safety concerns in the broad areas of legal and regulatory framework, information, communication, training and education; official control and inspection services; validation, inspection, certification and self-assessment, monitoring epidemiological surveillance data and laboratory services plus emerging and re-emerging food safety concerns. It also highlighted institutional framework, mandates and capacities. The policy envisaged protecting and promoting consumer health while facilitating the orderly development of the food industries as well as fair practices in food trade. The County Government developed a participatory implementation plan for this policy which ensured that the actions outlined in the policy were addressed systematically and effectively. The implementation plan also embraced performance measures for the actions and initiatives outlined in the policy, which then was used to gauge the overall progress towards effective and efficient food safety management system in the County. While this policy provides for the official food safety control mechanisms, the responsibility of food safety rests with all players along the food chain.

Author(s):

Marystella Wabwoba

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