World Food Safety Day Webinar

Theme: Prepare for the Unexpected

Topic: Bridging Gaps in the Informal Sector

Date: 27 June 2024

Time: 12:00-14:00 (GMT)

Online: Register here

Food safety is a critical concern that significantly impacts human health, economic trade, and sustainable development worldwide. Each year, over 600 million people suffer from foodborne diseases, resulting in approximately 420,000 deaths, as reported by the World Health Organization. These figures are believed to be considerably underestimated, with populations in low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt of this public health crisis due to inadequate food safety control systems. The World Bank estimates that these countries lose about USD 110 billion annually due to productivity losses and medical expenses stemming from foodborne illnesses.

In Africa, about 70 percent of the population relies on domestic informal food markets for their daily sustenance. This highlights the urgent need to address food safety issues within this sector to protect public health and foster sustainable development. Recognising this pressing need, the Africa Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the African Union Commission’s Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA), in collaboration with the Food Safety for Africa (FS4Africa) and UP-RISE projects funded by the European Union, are organising a timely and crucial webinar titled “Bridging Gaps in the Informal Sector” on 27 June 2024.

Enhancing food safety practices in the informal food markets

Understanding and addressing food safety concerns in Africa’s informal markets is vital. These markets play a significant role in the food supply chain of many African countries, yet they often operate outside the regulatory frameworks designed to ensure food safety. By bringing the informal sector into the fold of national regulatory schemes, we can create a level playing field for all food business operators and spur the growth of the agri-food industry.

The webinar, which coincides with World Food Safety Day 2024 and its theme “Prepare for the Unexpected,” will serve as a platform to raise awareness, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and foster collaborations among various stakeholders. The focus will be on enhancing food safety practices specifically in the informal food markets.

The primary objectives of the webinar are multifaceted. It aims to highlight the importance of food safety in Africa’s informal food sector and the role of the FS4Africa and UP-RISE projects in developing co-created solutions. Additionally, the webinar seeks to disseminate effective strategies and interventions, establishing networks to support the informal sector in improving food safety practices. By encouraging discussions and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders, including informal sector representatives, regulatory authorities, and industry associations, the event aims to foster collaborative approaches. Furthermore, the webinar will showcase the African Union’s strategies and initiatives in promoting food safety within the informal sector and beyond. A key highlight will be the introduction of the FS4Africa project’s knowledge platform to enhance capacity-building and information dissemination on food safety.

This webinar aspires to achieve several key outcomes. It aims to enhance understanding of food safety issues in the African informal food sector and highlight the contributions of the FS4Africa and UP-RISE projects. Moreover, the event will foster better collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including informal sector representatives, food regulatory bodies, and industry associations. Improving stakeholders’ capacities on strategies and interventions to enhance food safety in the informal sector is another crucial objective. Educating consumers about food safety and the importance of the informal food market, as well as encouraging food operators and other stakeholders to adopt better food safety practices through knowledge-sharing and networking, are also primary goals of the webinar.

For a Safer Food Future

The webinar will gather a diverse group of stakeholders, including food safety mandate organizations across Africa and the European Union, Codex representatives from implementation countries, food regulatory bodies, and representatives of informal sector groups and associations.

Honouring this World Food Safety Day, we invite you to join us in this significant webinar to explore the challenges and opportunities in Africa’s informal food sector. Together, we can make strides towards ensuring safer food practices and building a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Your participation and insights will be invaluable as we work towards bridging the gaps in the informal food sector and enhancing food safety across the continent.