The Ministry of Agriculture intends to set up food monitoring systems and laboratory services in a bid to enhance food safety and boost food security.
This emerged during the ongoing 54th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene co-hosted by Kenya and the USA.
Ministry of Trade CS Rebecca Miano, Health CS Susan Nakhumicha and Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi represented Kenya in the delegation at the conference.
Linturi said that the implementation of the food monitoring systems is a requirement of Codex standards that will put Kenya on the global map while improving the food quality.
"The development and adoption of various Codex standards and the strengthening of food safety infrastructure in the country continues to play a critical role in ensuring safe and quality food is available for local and regional markets," Linturi said.
The science-based food monitoring systems will also work to ensure consumers gain trust in the overseeing bureau food institutions such as Kenya Bureau Standards.
"The standards are there to ensure there is traceability of where the different products such as vegetables originate from, to enable Kenya also grow its food which will sustain the population while promoting intercontinental trade," Linturi added.
Miano backed Linturi's statement noting that the collaboration uplifts Kenya's status and sets it apart in food production.
"Kenya's collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization signifies the importance of participating in the international standards development process to enhance the safety and quality of food products consumed locally," Miano said.
This, CS linturi said, will guarantee access to global markets for Kenyan agricultural produce and food products, that are well-known globally for their high-quality standards.
He also urged the stakeholders to work together to boost the competitiveness of their agricultural products globally.
Nakhumicha noted that this project will be of benefit in eradicating diseases.
“This initiative will aid in the elimination of foodborne diseases which annually claim the lives of over 500,000 people,” Nakhumicha said.
The leaders will also have discussions to develop standards relating to bacterial and viral hazards in food.
This aims to finalize the work on guidelines for food hygiene in traditional markets, where a large proportion of the global population gets its food.
