Stakeholders from different sectors have validated the Food Safety Bill 2021, which is intended to protect consumers' health and increase Kenya s access to the world market.
The Food Safety Bill will create the Office of Food and Feed Safety Control, which will ensure compliance with international standards.
The Bill aligns with the tenets of the WTO and the Codex, which are international recognized food production and food safety standards established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation.
The Chairperson of the Inter-ministerial Taskforce Patrick Amoth said inadequate food safety is a significant contributor to the burden of disease in developing countries like Kenya and should be addressed as the food system develops.
The heavy burden of foodborne diseases imposes significant economic losses to individuals, households, health systems and entire nations. Economic losses due to the rejection of food exports due to deficiencies in food safety are also very significant, said Dr Amoth.
In Kenya, food quality and safety systems are legally controlled by different government agencies under different ministries using different laws.
Food safety regulation agencies work under ministries responsible for trade, industrialisation, health, livestock, fisheries and agriculture.
The Bill will create a new body that will rest these functions in a single body, avoiding duplication of roles.
After validation, the Bill will be moved to the Cabinet through the office of the Attorney General before it is presented to Parliament for a debate.
Former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Hamadi Boga said during the validation conference that international trade will not be hindered because of the high level of chemicals on the produce.