ADDIS ABABA-The health and economic impacts of foodborne diseases in milk, dairy products, meat, and tomato in Ethiopia require coordinated efforts to address the problem and improve public health, experts said.
A research was conducted on foodborne diseases impact in Ethiopia and presented on a workshop here yesterday at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) campus.
Researcher on Food Safety and Professor of Addis Ababa University Kebede Amenu told The Ethiopian Herald that foodborne diseases are estimated to cause a loss of 723 million USD annually which is close to 1 percent of the country’s total GDP.
As to him, the public gave low attention for food safety and the habit of poor hygiene remains a challenge to ensure food safety in the country.
Following this, numerous citizens are exposed to unnecessary economic loss during illness, he said.
Increased efforts to reduce foodborne illness will improve public health and the economy of the country, he recommended.
“If it is not safe, it is not food. Ensuring food safety should be given an attention parallel with ensuring food security. Food safety is not an assignment left for some individuals or organizations, it is a shared responsibility of all,” he said.
On his part, Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority Technical Advisor Wondafrash Abera said that the country has endorsed a food and nutrition policy, have national food and nutrition strategy, as well as laws and directives on food safety.
The Ethiopian Standards Agency is also doing its level best towards ensuring food safety through limiting the impact of processed and semi-processed food products, he added.
According to him, the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Industry (MI), Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MOTRI), among others are working closely to curb the impact of lack of food safety in the country.
Moreover, more attention should be given to ensuring food safety through excelling coordination and collaboration, strengthening food safety control system, improving public awareness, and creating food traceability system, he recommended.
Food Safety Researcher from USA Barbara Kowalcyk said that more than 420 deaths occurred annually in the world due to foodborne illness.
She has lost her son and founded a foundation to prevent deaths from lack of food safety.
She believes that foodborne diseases have profound impact on children, their family, their community and the entire society.
“We have been working hard for the past five years exploring on how to ensure food safety systems in Ethiopia. There is a willingness and readiness to strategizing food safety in Ethiopia which is a very promising move,” she stressed.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER 2023
