Achieving an integrated approach to food safety and hygiene—meeting the sustainable development goals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tracy D. Morse, Humphreys Masuku, Sarah Rippon, Hudson Kubwalo

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

Improving food safety and hygiene is integral to the successful attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Foodborne diseases continue to impose a high burden on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly children under five years, and meeting stipulated conditions for both domestic and export markets can be challenging. This paper reports a situation analysis exploring the challenges faced in the food safety sector in LMICs, using Malawi as an example. The analysis used a desk and policy review, literature search, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to provide national data, which was then subject to thematic analysis. The analysis established there is a significant threat to public health and market access due to uncoordinated, outdated or incomplete regulatory framework, poorly defined mandates, limited infrastructure, lack of equipment and skilled personnel, inadequate resources, and limited awareness and ability to comply with standards. Food safety and hygiene improvements must strike a balance between market access gains and protection of public health. To achieve this, the sector requires effective integration at national level in food security, nutrition, health, economic development, agriculture, and poverty reduction. Solutions for each country must be context-specific and take into consideration national realities if they are to be successful.
LanguageEnglish
Article number2394
Number of pages20
JournalSustainability
Volume10
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Jul 2018

Fingerprint

Food safety
food safety
Food Safety
Africa South of the Sahara
Conservation of Natural Resources
hygiene
Hygiene
integrated approach
Sustainable development
sustainable development
Public health
food
Public Health
market
public health
Malawi
Foodborne Diseases
Economic Development
Food Supply
income

Keywords

  • food safety
  • sustainable development goals
  • regulation
  • Malawi
  • policy
  • LMIC

Cite this

Morse, Tracy D. ; Masuku, Humphreys ; Rippon, Sarah ; Kubwalo, Hudson. / Achieving an integrated approach to food safety and hygiene—meeting the sustainable development goals in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Sustainability. 2018 ; Vol. 10, No. 7.
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Morse, TD, Masuku, H, Rippon, S & Kubwalo, H 2018, 'Achieving an integrated approach to food safety and hygiene—meeting the sustainable development goals in Sub-Saharan Africa' Sustainability, vol. 10, no. 7, 2394. DOI: 10.3390/su10072394

Achieving an integrated approach to food safety and hygiene—meeting the sustainable development goals in Sub-Saharan Africa. / Morse, Tracy D.; Masuku, Humphreys; Rippon, Sarah; Kubwalo, Hudson.

In: Sustainability, Vol. 10, No. 7, 2394, 10.07.2018.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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Morse TD, Masuku H, Rippon S, Kubwalo H. Achieving an integrated approach to food safety and hygiene—meeting the sustainable development goals in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainability. 2018 Jul 10;10(7). 2394. Available from, DOI: 10.3390/su10072394

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