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4th
July
2008
TBS sensitizes MPs, RCs on food safety,
quality
The Tanzania Bureau of Standards
(TBS) has carried out a National
Symposium on Food Safety and Quality for
Policy and Decision Makers, in its move
to sensitize the general public on the
importance of food safety and quality
for national prosperity and economic
sustainability.
The symposium, whose participants were
Members of the Parliament of the United
Republic of Tanzania and Regional
Commissioners, took place inside the
Pius Msekwa Parliamentary Hall in Dodoma
, on Saturday, June 28, 2008 and was
officially opened by the Prime Minister,
Hon. Mizengo Kayanza Pinda (MP).
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The Prime
Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania,
Hon. Mizengo Kayanza Pinda (MP) gives his
address to officially open the National
Symposium on Food Safety and Quality for Policy
and Decision Makers, at the Pius Msekwa
Parliamentary Hall in Dodoma, June 28, 2008. |
In his speech, Hon. Pinda underscored
the importance of food safety and
quality in the development and
prosperity of the nation, urging all
parties engaged in the food chain to
ensure that the food that is consumed in
Tanzania is safe and of prescribed
quality.
On the other hand, Hon. Pinda stressed
the importance of abiding by food safety
and quality requirements to ensure
market assess. He cited the Sanitary and
Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) Measures and
Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade (NTBT)
agreements as catalysts to changes in
trade in agricultural and food products
worldwide.
“At the same time, new and established
food-borne risks, the emergence of
serious trans-boundary food scare and
the generally increased consumer
awareness in some countries have all
highlighted the challenges that we face.
Globalization of trade, in particular
foodstuffs is one of the factors
compelling our country to realize the
relevance of ensuring the safety and
quality of imported and exported foods,”
noted Hon. Pinda.
He commended the organizers of the
symposium, TBS and the United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
for taking such a tremendous initiative.
He also acknowledged the continuous
support by development partners
including the World Health Organization
(WHO) and the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) in the
field of food safety and quality.
Earlier, in her statement to welcome the
Hon. Prime Minister, the Minister for
Industry, Trade and Marketing, Hon. Dr.
Mary Nagu said the symposium was
particularly intended for Members of
Parliament and Regional Commissioners
because they are responsible for making
important decisions and policies for
this country, including food safety and
quality issues.
“In my view, this is a unique and
important event, the first of its kind
in the area of food safety and quality
to be addressed in this fashion to this
kind of an audience,” she said, adding
that the issue of food safety is now one
of the global agenda in food trade.
She said in order to overcome the many
challenges in trade, including the SPS
and NTBT, it shall be imperative for the
country to have a national food control
system that is operational and
sustainable in order to enable our
country in ensuring the safety and
quality of foods throughout the food
chain i.e. from production to the time
food reaches tables for consumption.
Earlier in his introductory note, TBS
Director Mr. Charles Ekelege said food
safety and quality are essential
components of sustainable development in
any country; including Tanzania , whose
effect to the country’s economy, health
and social sustainability can be
formidable if not properly addressed. He
said the proper and reliable way to
tackle the issues is for Tanzania to
have in place a mechanism for food
safety and quality control.
Mr. Ekelege said globalization of trade,
particularly in foodstuffs had increased
the relevance for conformance to safety
and quality of both imported and
exported foodstuffs, adding that in that
regard, efforts to comply with
international trade requirements for
safe and quality foods have to be
consolidated.
He concluded by saying if dealt with
positively, food safety and quality
would contribute to high quality
livelihood, reduction of poverty through
increased human productivity, reduced
medical costs, food security and
protection of environment, just to
mention a few.
During the symposium various papers were
presented. Presenters included Dr. Bessy
Catherine (FAO), Ms. Margaret
Ndomondo-Sigonda of the Tanzania Food
and Drugs Authority (TFDA), Dr. Masami
Takeuchi (FAO) and Prof. Bendantunguka
Tiisekwa of the Sokoine University of
Agriculture (SUA) and Mr. Faustin Masaga
of TBS.
At the end of the presentations, the
Chairperson of the Symposium, the
Chairperson of the Parliamentary
Committee on Industry and Trade, Hon.
Abdisalaam Issa Khatib opened the
discussion in which participants raised
various challenges and queries which
were attended to by presenters. The
symposium was closed by the Deputy
Minister for Health and Social Welfare,
Dr. Aisha Kigoda.
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