In celebration of this year’s World Food Safety Day on Wednesday, Zanzibar’s First Lady, Ms. Maryam Mwinyi encouraged community members, manufacturers, importers, and respective authorities to play their part to improve food safety and avoid contaminations. It was held under the theme “Food Standards Save Lives”.
As part of the activities to celebrate the day, she led a four-kilometer charity walk from Mombasa to Michenzani-Mapinduzi Square. She buttressed that food safety is everyone’s role, therefore the need for awareness raising. “Our health is connected to regular body exercises and to ensure access to foods that are safe and free from contamination,” she said.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), standards establish the maximum amounts of additives and chemicals, among other components, that can be consumed safely. They also provide farmers and processors with instructions on the hygienic handling of food. Such standards are set by organizations, governments, and regional or global authorities.
The absence of food security, according to Ms. Mwinyi as the National Chairperson of the Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF), has led to a rise in infections, which she claims has an impact on community members’ health.
To lessen the huge medical expense on the government, she urged the community to consume safe foods, adopt good eating practices, and engage in physical activity. She also pushed for promoting nutrition among young people, children, and women.
Ms. Mwinyi counseled decision-makers, the ZFDA, scientists, farmers, food vendors, educators, students, and other consumers to increase collaboration to ensure Zanzibar’s understanding of food safety rises.
Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, the Minister of Health, stated that the ministry is implementing the best practices through its institutions to prevent the importation of tainted, subpar, and expired food.
“Let’s make sure we produce good food from a clean environment. We urge farmers and livestock keepers to feed people good food for good health,” said Mr. Mazrui adding that members of the community should follow regulations and guidance regarding food production and storage.
Dr. Burhan Othman Simai, executive director of the ZFDA, stated that the institution’s primary duty is to safeguard public health by ensuring that food products, medications, cosmetics, medical devices, and reagents meet the necessary standards for quality, safety, and efficacy in accordance with national and international regulations.