AFRICA HAS THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD SAFE FOOD SYSTEMS
Foodborne diseases remain a major public health challenge worldwide. Millions of people consume unsafe food without knowing it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 600 million people, nearly one in every ten people globally, fall ill each year after eating contaminated food. Approximately 420,000 people die annually from foodborne illnesses. Children under the age of five carry about 40% of the global burden, accounting for around 125,000 deaths each year. These figures highlight the serious impact of unsafe food on public health, economic productivity, and under funded healthcare systems. Foodborne diseases increase medical costs, reduce workforce productivity, and place significant pressure on national economies, particularly in low and middle income countries.
Food contamination from bacteria, viruses, parasites, or harmful chemical substances, can happen at any stage of the food chain, from production and processing to transportation, storage, preparation, and consumption. Common causes include polluted water, contaminated soil, poor sanitation, unsafe food handling practices, inadequate storage conditions, and the use of harmful chemical substances in food production.
Food safety is closely linked to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, which aims to end hunger, improve nutrition, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. It also contributes directly to SDG 3 on good health and well-being. As the world marks United Nations World Food Safety Day, it is important to recognize that food safety is a foundation of both public health and food security.
According to WHO, Africa carries the highest burden of foodborne diseases. More than 91 million people in the region are estimated to become ill each year from contaminated food, while approximately 137,000 deaths are recorded annually. This represents nearly one third of all global deaths linked to foodborne diseases. To address this challenge, WHO developed a regional framework to guide African countries in implementing the Global Strategy for Food Safety and strengthening national food safety systems by 2030. The framework aims to improve food safety governance, surveillance, laboratory capacity, and risk management across the continent.
Achieving sustainable food safety in Africa requires a well-structured system that starts at the grassroots level. Farms and households form the foundation of the food system, especially since most agricultural production comes from smallholder farmers. According to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), more than 80% of animal products in Sub-Saharan Africa are sold through informal markets. These markets often operate with limited sanitary inspection and weak regulatory oversight, creating potential risks for consumers. Reducing these risks, it begins with farmer education and training, farmers access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, animal health services, and knowledge on safe food handling practices. Correct storage, processing, and preparation of food are equally important in preventing contamination.
Markets and value chains are another critical part of food safety systems. Food traceability, from production and processing to distribution and retail, helps identify contamination sources and improves consumer confidence. Effective market infrastructure, including cold storage facilities, refrigeration systems, good drainage systems, clean water supplies, and sanitation services, is essential for maintaining food quality and safety. Training all actors along the value chain, including traders, transporters, processors, and retailers, is important. Reliable data collection at every stage of the food chain strengthens monitoring systems and supports timely responses to food safety risks.
Communities and local governments also have a key role to play. Public awareness campaigns and training programs on the importance of food safety, and regular market inspections can help reduce risks at the local level. County governments can strengthen surveillance by supporting mobile laboratory services that collect and share food safety data with national authorities.
At the national level, governments provide the policy and regulatory framework needed to safeguard food safety. This includes developing or updating regulations that cover both formal and informal food sectors. Governments should invest in food safety infrastructure, laboratory networks, surveillance systems, and digital traceability tools that help monitor food production and distribution. Effective oversight and enforcement are essential for maintaining food safety standards across the country.
Regional cooperation is equally important. Through initiatives from the African Union such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), countries can harmonize food safety standards, improve cross-border surveillance, and strengthen disease outbreak response systems. Regional collaboration also supports knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, and the adoption of best practices across African food systems.
Africa can significantly improve long-term food safety by building strong systems from the ground up. Strengthening farm level practices, improving market infrastructure, enhancing traceability, investing in laboratory capacity, and promoting coordinated surveillance are all critical steps. Key challenges remain, including weak controls in informal markets, limited laboratory capacity, fragmented regulations, insufficient data systems, and inadequate investment.
World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder that safe food is not a privilege but a shared responsibility. Governments, farmers, businesses, researchers, and consumers all have a role to play. By investing in stronger food safety systems, promoting good hygiene practices, and implementing practical solutions across the food chain, Africa can reduce foodborne diseases, protect public health, strengthen food security, and build a safer and more resilient food future for all.
Images courtesy of Ecolab, Care Training Academy and Kenya Utalii College.