Kenya to enact strict food safety laws amid growing concerns

Kenya is moving forward with plans to strengthen food safety regulations.

Recently, Kenya has been hit by a food safety crisis and the public’s demand for safer products has increased, prompting the government to draft the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill.

The draft food safety policy and bill has now been passed by the Senate and submitted to the National Assembly.

The legislation aims to create a clear regulatory control framework, promote collaboration between state and national government agencies and industry, and ensure inclusivity and transparency.

Speaking at a workshop to develop a roadmap for building industry capacity for food safety, Kiprono Rono, principal secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture, said that while food is safe when produced, it can become contaminated during processing and distribution if controls are not adequate.

“Access to safe food is a fundamental right enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution,” said Dr. Rono, stressing the need for a comprehensive framework to protect the food supply from hazards at every stage of production.

The Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) supported a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of Kenyan food business operators (FBOs) to address food safety risks.

To facilitate this process, USDA, through the Food and Feed Safety Authority, is investing more than Sh64.5 million to support the Kenyan government in drafting a comprehensive food and feed safety policy and bill.

The upcoming passage of the bill will establish a transparent regulatory framework to ensure the safety and quality of food and feed products.

“Our shared goal is to ensure that current and future regulations provide optimal public health protection, are practical and promote growth for Kenya’s industry in both domestic and export markets,” FAEA Executive Director Gina Tumbarello said in a statement.

Mr. Damian Ferrese, Acting Regional Agricultural Counselor, USDA, at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, stressed the importance of the proposed legislation.

“Developing food and feed safety policies and regulations is only part of a long journey. We will continue to support projects that improve food security and economic prosperity for the Kenyan people,” he said.

Dr Ronoh acknowledged that existing laws are inconsistent with modern food safety requirements, leading to inefficiencies, food-related hazards and export rejections.

In response, the government is modernizing its food safety system to make it more science-based and risk-based.

The initiative will involve a review of food and feed safety policy and legislation with the aim of aligning with international best practice while addressing local circumstances.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Health are working with local stakeholders to draft new food safety policies and bills.

The proposed legislation aims to establish a transparent regulatory framework to ensure the safety and quality of food and feed products for domestic consumers and international markets.

While large companies have adopted modern safety programs, smaller companies are lagging behind. To address these gaps, USDA and the Federal Food and Agriculture Administration will support capacity-building programs designed to strengthen food safety practices in the private sector.