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14th
December 2007
Raw food sellers sensitized on food
quality
Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)
has embarked on a process to sensitize
raw food sellers and the public in
general on food quality and safety.
This was revealed by Acting TBS Director
Leandri Kinabo, when officiating at a
seminar for Kinondoni Municipality food
products sellers on food quality on
Friday, December 14, 2007 at TBS
Headquarters in Dar - es - Salaam.
Mr. Kinabo said as part of its
responsibility, TBS has decided to
conduct seminars on food safety and
quality among those engaged in raw food
business throughout Tanzania, starting
with Dar es Salaam.
"By attending this seminar you have
demonstrated that you care for food
safety and quality; we will keep in
touch with you to ensure that you are
fully aware of the quality requirements
in your daily activities.
"This is a process. We will ensure that
this knowledge spreads to all those
involved in the food chain," said Mr.
Kinabo.
He said the challenge facing TBS in this
sensitization process is the complexity
surrounding food quality and safety, as
there is a chain involving farmers,
buyers, distributors and whole and
retail sellers in various markets. He
said TBS will conduct more seminars to
ensure that all stakeholders play their
part in ensuring food safety.
Three TBS experts in the areas of food
safety and packaging made presentations.
Mr. David Ndibalema presented a paper on
the basics of food safety and quality,
Dr. Claude Mosha gave an overview of TBS
and its activities, while Mr. Hamisi
Sudi presented a paper on quality
packaging.
The seminar drew representatives from 28
markets in the Kinondoni Municipality,
namely Mwananyamala Msufini, Makumbusho,
Babati, Kapera Chai, Kagera Mikoroshini,
Mabibo, Kimara Matangini, Shekilango,
Sinza One, Sinza Two, Mwenge, Msasani,
Mwananyamala Kisiwani and Mikocheni B.
Other markets which were represented are
Kunduchi Mtongani, Chai Bora, Urafiki,
Kinondoni Hananasifu, Mafikio Midizini,
Binti Kahenga Kigogo, Kigogo Mkwajuni,
Magomeni, Mburahati, Manzese, Tegeta (Soko
la Nyuki), Kawe, Tandale and
Mwananyamala Mapinduzi.
Responding to the presentations, some
participants said the environment in
which they are working doesn’t support
the implementation of food quality
requirements.
They said, for example, that most
Kinondoni markets don’t have reliable
water and most of them lack the
requirements of a quality food market
explained in Mr. Ndibalema’s
presentation.
Some said they needed more education on
standardization and quality control,
while some highlighted that ensuring
quality in food was complicated because
as sellers they are not involved in the
whole process.
Winding up the seminar, Mr. Kinabo
ensured the participants that the
seminar’s minutes and recommendations
would be presented to respective
authorities for action.
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