The African Union (AU) has announced plans to enhance food safety across the continent with the creation of the African Food Safety Agency.
According to an official statement, the agency will function as a specialized technical institution, responsible for coordinating and harmonizing food safety policies, regulations, and risk assessment frameworks across AU Member States.
With a goal of improving Africa’s food competitiveness and agricultural standards, the AU aims to tackle the growing burden of foodborne diseases, which impact 91 million people and cause 137,000 deaths annually.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that this represents one-third of global fatalities linked to foodborne illnesses.
The agency will establish a continental food safety data center and a rapid alert system to help countries manage food safety risks and emergencies more effectively. Additionally, it will support regional economic communities in coordinating food safety initiatives.
Beyond public health benefits, the initiative is expected to have a significant economic impact by addressing the estimated $110 billion in annual losses caused by contaminated food, according to World Bank estimates.
Source: WAVN