EABC, IUFoST, and UNBS Advocate for Harmonized Food Additive Standards in Africa

 

The East African Business Council (EABC), in collaboration with the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), hosted a pivotal side event titled "Effective Regulation through Harmonization of Food Additive Standards in Africa: The FAO/WHO Risk Assessment Approach as a Sound Basis for Regulatory and Policy Decisions." 

The event took place on January 30, 2025, during the 25th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAFRICA25) in Kampala, Uganda.

The session brought together over 150 participants, including industrialists, more than 40 food science students from Makerere University, and over 60 delegates from Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa.

Call for Investment in Scientific Capacity

Professor Samuel Godefroy of IUFoST underscored the importance of Codex's ongoing work, supported by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), in guiding food regulators on safe and technologically justified food additive applications.

"There is a need for added investments in scientific capacity and data collection in Africa to ensure that the African context is well reflected in international food standards decisions," Godefroy stated.

Mr. Hakim Mufumbiro, CCAFRICA Coordinator and UNBS Principal Standards Officer, emphasized adherence to Codex standards, noting that food additives are a priority issue.

"African organizations such as the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), the East African Community (EAC), and Codex play a crucial role in promoting harmonization through engagement and policy advocacy," Mufumbiro explained.

Aligning African Food Standards with Global Regulations

Mr. Reuben Gisore

Mr. Reuben Gisore, Technical Director at ARSO, and Mr. Peter Mutua, Manager of the Food Standards Division at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), delivered presentations on harmonizing African food standards with regional and international frameworks.

Peter Mutua, Manager of the Food Standards Division at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)

Speakers highlighted compliance with agricultural and food safety standards as critical for both farmers and consumers. Citing WHO data, they noted that 91 million Africans suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, leading to 137,000 deaths, with 96% of food markets supplied by domestic sources.

Gisore noted that ARSO, which includes 42 out of 54 African states, has harmonized 2,171 standards in its efforts to create a unified regulatory environment. 

While the EAC follows Codex Standard 192-1995 on food additive harmonization, he pointed out that the use of Codex Notes sometimes leads to ambiguous interpretations, which can create Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs).

Addressing Discrepancies in Food Additive Risk Assessments

Dr. Mark Feeley, of the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS) and Coordinator of the JECFA Meetings on Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂), joined the discussion virtually, addressing scientific discrepancies in food additive risk assessments. He used titanium dioxide as a case study, illustrating inconsistencies in its evaluation.

Participants raised concerns about emerging food safety issues, including food allergens, regulations for organic and artificial additives, and the approval process for additive blends.

A Unified Path Forward

The side event provided a critical platform for African regulators to explore opportunities for harmonizing food additive standards. Attendees discussed leveraging JECFA Risk Assessment Frameworks to ensure science-based regulatory and policy decisions that align with both African and global food safety priorities.

With continued collaboration and investment in scientific research, Africa is poised to strengthen its food safety standards, reduce barriers to trade, and enhance consumer protection across the continent.