Strengthening Food Safety in Zimbabwe: the government and FAO Conduct Costing Workshop in Mutare

Rome – May 24, 2024 – Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care and FAO successfully conducted a one-and-a-half-day workshop in Mutare to finalize the costing of a strategic workplan to enhance the country’s food control system. This event is part of the EU-funded project “Strengthening Food Control and Phytosanitary Capacities and Governance,” which seeks to bolster food safety and phytosanitary measures across twelve African Union member countries.

Background and Objectives

In 2023, Zimbabwe undertook a rigorous re-assessment of its food control system using the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool, an internationally recognized instrument based on the Codex Alimentarius standards. The re-assessment, a follow-up to an earlier assessment conducted in 2017, aimed to identify strengths and areas for improvement within Zimbabwe's national food control system. The findings and recommendations from the 2023 assessment were compared with those from the 2017 assessment to identify the progress made over the five-year period and to determine the requirements to further enhance Zimbabwe’s food control system. The results were validated in February 2024, leading to the development of a strategic workplan endorsed by the country’s Competent Authorities (CAs) in food safety.

At the workshop

The workshop, held from May 23 to 24, gathered key representatives from various CAs in Zimbabwe, mainly the Ministry of Health, the Ministry responsible for Agriculture, and the Standards Association, to contribute to the costing process, and develop a comprehensive and costed strategic workplan to enhance the country’s food control system.

During the workshop, Ms. Margaret Tawodzera from the Ministry of Health commended the progress and efforts made so far and urged participants to "keep the momentum going."

Referring to the document developed during the workshop, she added, “The document will strategically position the country for emerging and future funding opportunities.” She was also pleased that the country’s Food Safety Strategy is well aligned with the region’s food safety, SPS, animal health, and plant policies and strategic frameworks.

The final document will serve as a roadmap for strengthening Zimbabwe’s food control system, ensuring they meet international standards and effectively safeguard public health.

Conclusion

The FAO and EU remain committed to supporting Zimbabwe and other AU countries in strengthening their food control and phytosanitary systems. The successful completion of the costing workshop marks a significant step forward in operationalizing the SPS Policy Framework for Africa. The finalized strategic workplan will facilitate targeted investments and coordinated efforts to enhance food safety in Zimbabwe and in the region.

Read more about the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool  

Read more about FAO’s work in Zimbabwe here

Photo: ©FAO/Patience Hoto