OVERVIEW OF THE ROLES OF VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR AFLATOXIN CONTROL IN TANZANIA RAYMOND N. WIGENGE DIRECTOR OF FOOD SAFETY TFDA

1.0 Introduction Countries are faced with a challenge of producing adequate food for the ever-increasing population However, food produced must be safe for human consumption Food control is geared towards ensuring food safety and promoting local and international trade, therefore economic development of the country Fungal infestation and aflatoxin contamination can take place at any segment along the food chain (primary production – sale of food products) Efforts towards addressing problem of aflatoxin contamination must take into consideration the role of different players.

Roles and functions of different players in Aflatoxin control Fungi which produce aflatoxin are present in soil and air and can infest crop at any stage from pre- harvest to postharvest storage Can contaminate pre-packaged foods because of contaminated raw materials, poor storage, transportation and during manufacturing

Ministries and institutions having role in aflatoxin control Ministry of agriculture, food security and cooperatives (including Food commodity Boards) Ministry of Health and Social welfare Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development Ministry of Industries, Trade and Marketing Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority Tanzania Bureau of Standards Tropical Pesticide Research institute Government Chemical Laboratory Agency Research institutions Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre

Role of the Ministries and Institutions Ministry of agriculture, food security and cooperatives Enforcement of Legislation on plant protection Implementation of National Food Security Policy Application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Good Storage practices Provide Guidelines for prevention and reduction of aflatoxin contamination Extension services Provide education and information to farmers

Role of the Ministries and Institutions Ministry of Health and Social welfare Formulation of National Food Safety Policy Ensuring effective implementation of the food law Making regulations that recognize national or international standards on MLs for aflatoxin Funding the National Food Safety Coordinating Committee

Role of the Ministries and Institutions…. Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Developmen Enforcement of the Grazing Land and Animal Feed Resource Act Preparation regulations on safety of feeds Application of Good Animal Husbandry Practices in Animal feeding Ministry of Industries, Trade and Marketing Formulating and implementing policy on promotion of food manufacturing industry Provision of education and information

Role of the Ministries and Institutions…. Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority Enforcement of the Tanzania Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Preparing draft regulations Control of imported and exported foods Conducting exposure assessment Contributing data for risk assessment by JECFA as part of formulation of Codex food standard Providing analysis services

Role of the Ministries and Institutions…. Tanzania Bureau of Standards Development of food standards Development of Code of Practices Providing analysis services Tropical Pesticide Research institute Registration of pesticides Research on effective pesticides Government Chemical Laboratory Agency Provide analytical services

Role of the Ministries and Institutions…. Research institutions Conduct research on different areas that can prevent or minimize fungal infestation and aflatoxin contamination Disseminate research findings to other stakeholders Link with other stakeholders on areas of priority for research Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre Provision of technical advice on formulation of complementary foods that uses raw materials prone to aflatoxin contamination

Challenges Limited coordination among different players in aflatoxin control Low awareness related to the magnitude of aflatoxin contamination and its consequences Limited resources allocated to address the problem Limited capacity to conduct risk assessment of aflatoxin contamination Way forward Establish a system for coordinating efforts among different players Build capacity in preventing or reducing levels of aflatoxin contamination Sensitize policy makers to understand the health and economic consequences associated with aflatoxin contamination

Concluding remarks Aflatoxin contamination can occur at any segment along the food chain. Effective aflatoxin control can be achieved if each stakeholder plays his role and existence of an effective coordination system that will bring synergy in preventing or minimizing consequences associated with aflatoxin contamination.