E-mail:
Country:
United Republic of Tanzania
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority
Contact person name:
Mwajuma Dukulai
Website:
Physical full address:
Off Mandela Road, Mabibo External, Dar es Salaam
Phone number:
+255784931003
Fax number:
+255222450793
Country introduction
Summary:
Section 69 of the Environmental Management Act 2004, requires that any person who develops, handles, uses, import or export genetically modified organisms (GMO) and, or their product shall be under general obligation to ensure that such organisms do not harm, cause injury or loss to the environment and human health including socio-economic, cultural and ethical concerns. These requirements are further described in the Environmental Management (Biosafety) Regulations.
Also various legislation covering plant protection, animal and human health and which address issues of biosafety and application of biotechnology are available in the country. They address the issues of plant protection substances including pesticides and herbicides; animal health; food quality; health control; environmental protection and natural resources management. According to the National Biosafety Framework for Tanzania, The main principles that are embodied in the regulation of development and use of GMOs are the precautionary principle, prevention principle and principle of strict liability.
Framework
Regulatory framework:
My country has a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country has competent authority, agency, organization, ministry, department, committee, commission or a system/mechanism that is tasked to conduct or review GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information:
National Biosafety Focal Point in Tanzania is Ministry Responsible for Environment
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
Tanzania Bureau of standards , P.O. Box 9524, Dar es salaam
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 does not regularly conduct food safety assessment of GM food, but has conducted at least once in the past.
Supplemental information on the implementation:
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:
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:
LLP/AP incidents
LLP/AP incidents:
I do not know if my country has faced any LLP/AP issues in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:
Labelling requirement
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It contains GMO).
Supplemental information on the Labelling requirement:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment
Other relevant documents:
Country information last modified:
08/07/2021
