Food Safety Regulations in Zimbabwe: A Detailed Overview
Zimbabwe has established legislative frameworks and regulations to ensure food safety, including limits on aflatoxin levels. The National Food Safety System aims to promote fair trade practices and protect consumers' health. The Food Standard Advisory Board advises on policy issues and legislative frameworks. The Ministry of Agriculture operates a laboratory for aflatoxin testing to support monitoring and trade-related services.
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Aflatoxins in Zimbabwe Aflatoxins in Zimbabwe Legislative Frameworks Against Level of Awareness A Perspective from a Laboratory Paper presented by Nozipo Nziramasanga At Huang Shan Hall, Peacock Hotel, Lilongwe, Malawi. 11 to 14 March 2014
Overview of the National Food Overview of the National Food Safety System Safety System The objectives of any food regulatory system are: To ensure fair food trade practices and optimize economic returns in export markets And To protect consumers from exposure to unsafe food and thus promote good health
Laws and Regulations Laws and Regulations Food and Food Standards Act (Chapter 15:04) of 2001 and its related Statutory Instruments: Food and Food Standards (Inspection and Certification) Regulations, 2013 Food and Food Standards (Packaged Drinking Water Other Than Packaged Natural Water) Regulations, 2013 Food and Food Standards (Packaged Natural Mineral Water) Regulations, 2013 Aflatoxin B1 5ppb limit for human consumption. Zimbabwe Standards Association (SAZ) standards are in place for poultry and cattle feed, with range of 10-20ppb stipulated The Food and Nutrition Security Policy for Zimbabwe and its Implementation Plan/Matrix is available since 2012
Food Standard Advisory Board (FASB) Food Standard Advisory Board (FASB) Based on relevant background reviews/ research, FSAB advises Minister of Health on: Food policy issues Requisite support food standards Relevant food legislative frameworks required The FASB is chaired by a lawyer (member of the Law Society of Zimbabwe) and includes members from: Health Agriculture Industry and International Trade Local Authorities Standards Association Food Industry Consumer Council
Laboratory Services (Aflatoxin Testing) Ministry of Agriculture Laboratory already exists: Currently being refurbished and modernized to be a state-of-the-art Food and Agric. Products Testing Laboratory Trained staff have been testing for mycotoxin, especially Aflatoxins Expertise is available to support the monitoring function for the country (Regulatory function on agric. products) The laboratory is available for trade-related services and supports exports/ imports. Samples analysed are for commercial purposes
The following graphs show the number of samples analysed by the Government Lab. for Aflatoxins in 2013/2014
Groundnuts Groundnuts 60 56 Number of groundnut samples analysed 50 40 30 26 20 12 10 8 10 0 Total Not detected 1-5ppb 6-20ppb Above 20ppb
Peanut butter Peanut butter 80 69 Number of peanut butter samples analysed 70 60 50 40 30 25 21 20 20 10 3 0 Total Not detected 1-5ppb 6-20ppb Above 20ppb
Maize and other Cereals Maize and other Cereals 30 Number of maize grain samples analysed 24 24 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 0 0 Total Not detected 1-5ppb 6-20ppb Above 20ppb
Stock feeds Stock feeds 50 47 45 43 Number of stockfeed samples analysed 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 3 1 0 0 Total Not detected 1-5ppb 6-20ppb Above 20ppb
Awareness Awareness Efforts made to create awareness among stakeholders, include: Field Days: For growers of agricultural produce Process or small and Large scale training on selection Agricultural Shows and exhibitions: Sharing of information with the public in Posters and Fliers/ pamphlets Sharing of information on the impact of Aflatoxins in food with Ministry of Agriculture Senior Managers
Monitoring and Surveillance Monitoring and Surveillance The surveillance of products on the market is done in conjunction with the Ministry of Health as surveillance programmes. Results/Data is sent to Ministry of Health for risk assessment
Gaps Gaps Need to strengthen awareness programme on agricultural products and food handling, especially amongst: Growers Food processers Food sellers Food and agricultural products exporters Education on good agricultural practices in the field and storage facilities for growers Encourage use of Bio-Pesticides
