E-mail:
Country:
Egypt
Organization/agency name (Full name):
National Food Safety Authority
Contact person name:
Mahmoud Shaker Helwa
Website:
Physical full address:
110 Kasr Alaini Street, Cairo, Egypt
Phone number:
(+202) 27933493
Fax number:
(+202) 27933496
Country introduction
Summary:
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Egypt is a country situated mainly within North Africa, with its Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia, making it a trans-continental country. The economy of Egypt is one of the most diversified in the Middle East, with sectors such as tourism, agriculture, industry and services. Recent Egypt needs to meet the globalization challenge and to overcome national trade barriers and to boost competitiveness through export promotions, improving standards and trade facilitation. Due to economies of scale, regional integration has been the key for economic growth and development in Egypt. Egypt is a member of the Arab League that is currently has 22 members. It holds the FAO Regional Office for the Near East (RNE). Egypt has been a member of WTO since 1995.
Egypt is the largest Arab country by population and possesses the second largest economy in the Arab world. The total area of the country is 1,001,450 square kilometer (land 995,450 square kilometer and water 6000 square kilometer). The country is predominantly with vast desert plateau interrupted by the Nile valley and delta. In Egypt, farming is confined to less than 4% of the total land area. About 90% of the agricultural area is concentrated in the Nile delta and the rest is located within a narrow ribbon along the Nile between Aswan and Cairo (Upper Egypt) and a strip along the Mediterranean. In 2009, agricultural land represented 0.114 feddan per person as arable and permanent cropland (1 feddan = 4200 square meters). Agriculture in Egypt depends on irrigation from the Nile River. Total cultivated area increased from 5,820,000 feddans in the 80s of the past century to 8,691,427 feddans at the end of 2011, by 2,871,427 feddans increase, and at an annual rate exceeding 140,000 feddans.
The National Food Safety Agency of Egypt (NFSA) was established by the law number 1/2017 as an independent authority to protect consumers’ health and consumers’ interests by ensuring that food consumed, distributed, marketed or produced in Egypt meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
NFSA is responsible for supervising, licensing, certifying, inspecting, and import/export controlling. For the purpose, NFSA is issuing mandatory rules for food control.
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Framework
Regulatory framework:
My country is in the process in developing a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country is in the process in developing a structure for GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information:
Egypt will establish a regulatory framework that requires NFSA as a competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
According to Article (3) of the law number 1/2017, NFSA main objective that is to fulfill the requirements of food safety to preserve health and safety of humans. It shall exercise all required functions and powers, and shall particularly establish procedures and rules of registration and licensing and handling of genetically modified food (GMOs) and foods containing components that are genetically modified where they relate to food safety, according to Codex Alimentarius Commission standards adopted by international bodies.
Also, NFSA is responsible to setting the necessary procedures for risk assessment, analysis, use, management, communication and awareness including setting inspection priorities with the norms of the relevant international organizations. Moreover, Propose and give opinion on relevant draft laws and regulatory decrees concerning food safety and food handling regulation. NFSA is responsible for conducting studies and researches related to food safety in order to collect relevant scientific and technical data.
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
The National Food Safety Agency of Egypt (NFSA),
110 Al Kasr Al Ainy St., Tahrir, Cairo, Egypt.
Telephone: (+202) 27933493
Fax: (+202) 27933496
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nfsa.gov.eg
Assessment
GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country follows the relevant Codex Guidelines or national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country has never conducted food safety assessment of GM food but is planning to conduct such assessment in the near future.
Supplemental information on the implementation:
Egypt follows the relevant Codex Guidelines and other regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
With the reference of the international practice, Egypt is planning to conduct GM food assessment.
Stacked events
Regulation of stacked events:
My country is in the process of developing relevant regulations on stacked events.
Supplemental information on the stacked events:
For imports of food and feed derived from biotech varieties, the varieties with stacked events approved in the country-of-origin are accepted.
Production and trade
GM food/feed production:
My country produces GM food or feed only for research purposes.
GM food/feed imports:
My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.
Supplemental information on the production and trade:
Egypt government permits biotech imports so long as country-of-origin also consumes these products.
LLP/AP incidents
LLP/AP incidents:
My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.
Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:
Monitoring and testing of GM foods are in the planning phase.
Egypt is drafting LLP/AP policy. As a precautionary action, the Country adopt a policy for recognizing country-of-origin approvals to prevent LLP issues from occurring.
Labelling requirement
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and negative labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It does not contain GMO).
Supplemental information on the Labelling requirement:
Currently, Egypt has a mandatory and negative labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It does not contain GMO).
Based on the planned risk assessment studies, this requirement will be re-evaluated.
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment
Other relevant documents:
Country information last modified:
30/07/2019
