Tunisia's National Health Safety Authority for Food Products (AFRAF) showcased its experience in food safety reform at the 3rd African Forum of Food Control Authorities held in Cairo. The forum brought together over 100 representatives from 25 African countries. Mohamed RABHI, head of the authority, presented Tunisia's legislative and institutional reforms in the sector, as well as the development stages of the national food safety control system.
The reforms included the creation of the National Health Safety Authority for Food Products in 2019, a unified control authority with autonomy in performing its tasks. The authority is responsible for ensuring the health safety of food products. This reform enabled the transition from a system where powers and tasks were distributed among several administrative structures to a more integrated and unified system.
The new system is based on coordination between various stakeholders and adopts a scientific approach based on risk analysis. This approach covers all stages of the food chain, from primary production to consumption. The reform also included the establishment of a regional network of 24 regional departments that support the effectiveness of monitoring and prevention of health risks associated with food products.
Mohamed RABHI highlighted the importance of updating working methods and developing the technical capacities of the authority through digitalization and international quality standards. The authority has adopted ISO 9001, ISO 17020, and ISO 17025 standards, which are essential tools for improving service quality, enhancing the efficiency of control agents, and supporting the reliability of laboratory analyzes.
Tunisia's participation in the African Forum is part of its efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and exchange experiences with food control authorities in Africa. The country aims to contribute to the development of common working mechanisms and support the construction of more integrated and effective control systems.
The authority's participation in the forum also reflects Tunisia's commitment to addressing the growing challenges in food safety and adapting to changes in the sector at the African and international levels. The forum provided a platform for Tunisia to share its experiences and best practices with other African countries.
The event demonstrated Tunisia's efforts to strengthen its food safety control system and its commitment to ensuring the health safety of food products. The country's experience in food safety reform can serve as a model for other African countries seeking to improve their own control systems.
Key points
- Tunisia's National Health Safety Authority for Food Products showcases its food safety reform experience at the 3rd African Forum of Food Control Authorities in Cairo.
- The authority's reform efforts aim to ensure the health safety of food products and adapt to changes in the sector at the African and international levels.
- Tunisia's participation in the forum reflects its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and exchanging experiences with food control authorities in Africa.
