Africa-Press – Mauritius. A closing ceremony for the Food Control Assessment System workshop was held, today, at the Flying Dodo Brewing Company, in Bagatelle. It was organised in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.
The central goal of the workshop was to devise a robust assessment system for food control, with the primary objective of securing public safety and maintaining food quality.
The event was graced by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal; the FAO National Correspondent for Mauritius, Mr Poojanraj Khurun; and other personalities.
The Minister of Health and Wellness, in his address, underscored the critical objective of the Food Control System Assessment, which aims to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the existing food control system.
He stressed the vital importance of a robust food control system assessment in protecting public health, upholding regulatory compliance, and guaranteeing the safety and nutritional value of the food supply chain. The Ministry’s overarching goal, he added, is to guarantee that the food reaching our tables is both safe and nutritionally sound.
Dr Jagutpal noted the recent establishment of the Mauritius Food Standards Agency, with its Board meeting monthly to ensure alignment with the objective of coordinating activities within the food supply chain and enforcing food regulations among businesses.
Additionally, he highlighted the pivotal role of the Public Health and Food Safety Inspectorate, operating under the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in guaranteeing compliance with the Food Act and Food regulations in Mauritius.
As evidence, he pointed out that this year, they conducted over 13,000 inspections, collected 2,200 food samples, found almost 300 violations, confiscated 54,000 kilograms of unsafe food, issued around 1,100 improvement notices, and halted 30 unsafe activities.
This department also plays a crucial role in training food handlers and educating consumers, he stated. The Minister also called for the need to fortify our food control system to ensure the safety and nutritional quality of the food supply.
He highlighted the aim of leading a comprehensive action plan that will involve close collaboration with stakeholders to emphasise preventive measures, enhance surveillance, and focus on strict enforcement regulations.
In the same light, he declared that it is important to prioritise the implementation of advanced monitoring technologies, strengthen inspection processes, and establish a culture of transparency and accountability across the entire food production and distribution chain.
Mr Khurun, in his remarks, drew attention to two specific domains, food safety and plant health, underlining the necessity for increased investment in these sectors.
He pointed out the diligent efforts of the Mauritius Food Control Regulatory authorities, which have been actively conducting workshops, providing training, and gathering data to fortify the food control system in Mauritius.
Mr Khurun likewise emphasised the significance of establishing and maintaining a comprehensive food control strategy to support strategic planning in these crucial areas.
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