PS Mary Muthoni hailes Kenya's contribution to the development of scientific -based international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice

Nairobi June7, 2023 Principal Secretary State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni HSC today officiated the commemoration of the #WorldFoodSafetyDay2023 under the Theme: Food Standards save lives.

A wide range of stakeholders in the food value chain convened to review progress and renew commitments to enhancing and observing food safety standards to ensure our food retain value and safety from "farm to fork".

The PS underscored the importance of food safety noting that Africa loses approximately US$95 billion annually in terms of productivity and medical bills as a result of foodborne diseases.

Ms. Muthoni hailed Kenya's contribution to the development of scientific -based international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice, commonly known as "Codex Alimentarius" that is used as a reference document for development and implementation of food safety regulation and standards in the country.

"The government is also leveraging on Public Private Partnership through collaboration such as the National Food Food Fortification Alliance to improve the Nation's health through increased micronutrients intake for widely consumed foods across the country."She said.

The PS also revealed that the country is in the process of reviewing our food laws and policy as a country with a goal of establishing and maintaining a rational, seamless coordination mechanism for enhanced food safety control system.

The commemoration resulted in a joint commitment by the Government of Kenya, East Africa Community, Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to advocate for increased awareness and investment in food safety systems to promote the use of Food Safety Standards because "food standards saves Lives"