The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a project to support Zimbabwe in strengthening its food safety standards.
The project, funded by the Codex Trust Fund 2 (CTF2), aims to enhance the profile, management, and knowledge of Codex work in Zimbabwe.
The official launch of the project was held at the CTF II Inception Workshop, where Constance Pepukai, Assistant FAO Representative - Programmes, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Patrice Talla, FAO Sub Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative for Zimbabwe.
Dr Talla congratulated the Government of Zimbabwe for successfully applying for the CTF2. He explained that the Codex Trust Fund (CTF) was established by FAO and WHO to help Member States build strong, solid, and sustainable national capacities to engage in Codex activities. Codex Alimentarius, a joint programme between FAO and WHO, was established in 1964 to set international food standards that protect consumer health and promote fair food trade practices at local, regional, and international levels.
He highlighted the importance of harmonizing food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice to international benchmarks in order to trade internationally and access markets for high-value products. He also emphasized the role of the National Codex Committee (NCC) and the Codex Contact Point (CCP) in coordinating and communicating Codex related activities in Zimbabwe.
In his speech Dr Talla introduced Mr. Freddy Chinyavanhu, Deputy Director at Government Analyst under the Ministry of Health and Child Care, as the current Codex Focal Point. He encouraged all stakeholders to support him in achieving the set objectives of this trust fund which are:
- To improve knowledge and understanding of Codex at the national level among key policy makers and influential stakeholders.
- To improve national capacity for developing food standards and regulations based on Codex.
- To increase uptake and use of Codex standards, guidelines and codes of practice.
- To advocate for a budget for national Codex activities included in national budget and high-level support for Codex.
Dr Talla emphasized that “effective participation in the work of Codex Alimentarius means strong and sustainable food control systems.” He added that “this project is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to continue the excellent work undertaken by the government and various technical ministry departments to strengthen the national food control system.”
He also reiterated FAO’s commitment to helping eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition through improved food safety in Africa. He mentioned that “FAO works closely with governments of member countries and other partners to promote new and revised international standards for food safety and quality.”
The announcement was followed by a keynote address by Mr. Munyaradzi Livingstone Musiyambiri, Director of the Government Analyst Laboratory, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the Food Safety Strategy 2022-2025, a key component of which is to bolster Codex activities in Zimbabwe.
The keynote address gave an overview of the CTF2 project, which is expected to run for three years. The project aims to widen knowledge and understanding of Codex at national level among key policy makers and influential stakeholders; improve national capacity for developing food standards and regulations based on Codex; increase uptake and use of Codex standards, guidelines, and codes of practice; and secure a budget for national Codex activities included in national budget and high-level support for Codex.
The ministry expressed its hope that the project will improve the conformity and competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s food trade domestically, regionally, and internationally. They also thanked FAO and WHO for their support and collaboration in advancing food safety standards in Zimbabwe.