Tunisia's National Health Safety Authority for Food Products, led by Mohamed Rabaoui, recently participated in the 3rd African Forum of Food Control Authorities (AFRAF) in Cairo. The forum brought together over 100 representatives from 25 African countries to discuss food safety and control. Rabaoui presented Tunisia's experience in food safety, highlighting key legislative and institutional reforms in the sector.
The reforms, which began with the 2019 law establishing the National Health Safety Authority for Food Products, aimed to unify the country's food control system. Previously, responsibilities were scattered among several administrative bodies. The new system is based on a scientific approach, analyzing risks throughout the food chain, from production to consumption. This approach, known as "from farm to table," ensures a more integrated and effective control system.
Rabaoui emphasized the importance of the transformation in Tunisia's food control system, which now relies on coordination among various stakeholders and adopts a risk-based approach. The country has also established a national network of 24 regional departments, covering all regions, to support monitoring and prevention of health risks associated with food products. This network has enhanced the effectiveness of control operations and decision-making.
The Tunisian delegation also highlighted the modernization of working methods and development of technical capacities within the authority. This includes adopting digitalization and international quality standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 17020, and ISO 17025. These tools have improved service quality, enhanced the skills of control agents, and supported the reliability of laboratory analyses.
Tunisia's participation in the African forum reflects its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and sharing expertise with other African countries. The country aims to contribute to the development of common working mechanisms and support the construction of more integrated and effective control systems. These systems are crucial in addressing the growing challenges in food safety and adapting to changes in the sector.
The reforms in Tunisia's food control system have been recognized as a model for other countries. The country's experience in establishing a unified control authority and implementing a risk-based approach can serve as a reference for other nations seeking to strengthen their food safety systems.
By sharing its expertise and experiences, Tunisia aims to promote cooperation and collaboration among African countries in the area of food safety. The country's participation in the African forum demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of its citizens and contributing to regional efforts to improve food safety.
Key points
- Tunisia shares its experience in reforming inspection and safety systems at the 3rd African Forum of Food Control Authorities in Cairo.
- The country's food control system is based on a scientific approach, analyzing risks throughout the food chain.
- Tunisia's participation in the forum reflects its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and sharing expertise with other African countries.
