Aflatoxins in Zimbabwe Legislative Frameworks Against Level of Awareness A Perspective from a Laboratory Paper presented by Nozipo Nziramasanga At Huang Shan Hall, Peacock Hotel, Lilongwe, Malawi. 11 to 14 March 2014

Overview of the National Food Safety System The objectives of any food regulatory system are: To ensure fair food trade practices and optimize economic returns in export markets And To protect consumers from exposure to unsafe food and thus promote good health

Laws and Regulations Food and Food Standards Act (Chapter 15:04) of 2001 and its related Statutory Instruments: Food and Food Standards (Inspection and Certification) Regulations, 2013 Food and Food Standards (Packaged Drinking Water Other Than Packaged Natural Water) Regulations, 2013 Food and Food Standards (Packaged Natural Mineral Water) Regulations, 2013 Aflatoxin B1 5ppb limit for human consumption. Zimbabwe Standards Association (SAZ) standards are in place for poultry and cattle feed, with range of 10-20ppb stipulated The Food and Nutrition Security Policy for Zimbabwe and its Implementation Plan/Matrix is available since 2012

Food Standard Advisory Board (FASB) Based on relevant background reviews/ research, FSAB advises Minister of Health on: Food policy issues Requisite support food standards Relevant food legislative frameworks required The FASB is chaired by a lawyer (member of the Law Society of Zimbabwe) and includes members from: Health Agriculture Industry and International Trade Local Authorities Standards Association Food Industry Consumer Council

Laboratory Services (Aflatoxin Testing) Ministry of Agriculture Laboratory already exists: Currently being refurbished and modernized to be a state-of-the-art Food and Agric. Products Testing Laboratory Trained staff have been testing for mycotoxin, especially Aflatoxins Expertise is available to support the monitoring function for the country (Regulatory function on agric. products) The laboratory is available for trade-related services and supports exports/ imports. Samples analysed are for commercial purposes

The following graphs show the number of samples analysed by the Government Lab. for Aflatoxins in 2013/2014

Groundnuts

Peanut butter

Maize and other Cereals

Stock feeds

Awareness Efforts made to create awareness among stakeholders, include: Field Days: For growers of agricultural produce Process or small and Large scale training on selection Agricultural Shows and exhibitions: Sharing of information with the public in Posters and Fliers/ pamphlets Sharing of information on the impact of Aflatoxins in food with Ministry of Agriculture Senior Managers

Monitoring and Surveillance The surveillance of products on the market is done in conjunction with the Ministry of Health as surveillance programmes. Results/Data is sent to Ministry of Health for risk assessment

Gaps Need to strengthen awareness programme on agricultural products and food handling, especially amongst: Growers Food processers Food sellers Food and agricultural products exporters Education on good agricultural practices in the field and storage facilities for growers Encourage use of Bio-Pesticides

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