The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) in South Sudan has announced that its central laboratory will resume full operations after years of facing operational challenges. The laboratory, which tests and certifies the quality and safety of imported and locally manufactured products, has been operating at limited capacity since 2017 due to inadequate equipment and the need for repairs. According to Central Laboratory Director Wilson Wani Leju, the facility has undergone renovation and is now being prepared to resume full testing services.
The laboratory received equipment from Trademark East Africa in 2017, but some of the equipment was not functioning. Leju stated that some of the equipment has since been repaired, and all but one item is now operational. The remaining item needs repair. Additionally, the laboratory has recently received equipment from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and installed it. The equipment is intended for use in various laboratories, including Chemistry, Microbiology, Mechanical Metrology, Paper, and Textile laboratories.
Leju mentioned that most of the donated equipment and technical support came from Trademark East Africa and the FAO. The laboratory's technicians are currently working with colleagues from the metrology laboratory to commission the new equipment. The microbiology laboratory is fully operational, while the chemistry laboratory is still being commissioned. Leju expects the laboratory to begin full operations soon.
The improved equipment will allow the laboratory to conduct tests that were previously difficult or impossible to perform. Leju stated that previously, the laboratory did not test for heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead. Now, it can test for pesticides and measure substances like caffeine in soft drinks and coffee. This improvement is expected to enhance the country's capacity to verify the safety and quality of imported and locally manufactured products.
Leju warned that limited testing capacity could allow harmful substances in food and other consumer products to go undetected, potentially exposing consumers to health risks. He highlighted the importance of testing cereals for aflatoxins, toxic substances produced by certain types of fungi that can contaminate food. The laboratory can now identify specific types of aflatoxins, such as B1, B2, and M1.
Despite the new equipment and renovations, Leju stated that the bureau still faces gaps in its testing capacity. The bureau lacks adequate advanced testing equipment to detect harmful substances, poisons, and chemical additives in some parts of the country. However, the laboratory's return to full operations is expected to strengthen the country's capacity to verify the safety and quality of products and help identify potentially harmful substances before they reach consumers.
The resumption of full operations at the laboratory is a significant development for South Sudan, as it will help ensure the safety and quality of products available to consumers. The laboratory's enhanced capacity will also contribute to the country's efforts to improve food security and protect public health. With the laboratory now ready to resume full operations, consumers can expect to benefit from improved product safety and quality.
Key points
- The National Bureau of Standards laboratory in South Sudan is set to resume full operations after years of limited capacity.
- The laboratory's enhanced capacity will allow it to test for previously undetectable substances, including heavy metals and pesticides.
- The laboratory's return to full operations will strengthen the country's capacity to verify the safety and quality of imported and locally manufactured products.
