Back and Next - Back and NextDraft standard report for edible fats, oil discussed
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The department of state for Trade, Industry and Employment, in collaboration with the National Codex Committee and other stakeholders, yesterday, convened a one day consultative meeting on a draft standard for edible fats and oils, at the conference room of DOSTIE on Independence drive, Banjul.
The aim of the meeting was to review and discuss the draft report prepared by the Codex Committee and also to get feed back of the people regarding the document. In his opening remarks, Abdou Kolley, the secretary of state for Trade Industry and Employment, said the Gambia as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Codex Alimentarius and the International Standards Organisation, is obliged to develop and apply food standards that are harmonised with internationally accepted norms.
According to him, this will go a long way in enhancing Gambia’s participation in the international food trade, in terms of being able to export quality and safe agricultural, fisheries and other commodity based food products.
He said that currently The Gambia exports groundnut, horticultural and fish products to international markets, particularly Europe. He added that some of the exporters of groundnut and fish have been facing rejections due to quality concerns. He recalled that concerns have been raised by both the Gambia government authorities and Gambian consumers on the quality of the food products imported into the country.
The Trade Secretary of state further noted that the key products featured are edible oils and fats, poultry meat and eggs, food flavourings and seasoning and soft drinks. He recognised the need to put in place the appropriate food standards.
Babagana Ahmadu, FAO representative in The Gambia, briefed the meeting on FAO’s stands in the activity, describining it as one of the mandates of the organization. He informed the meeting of their responsibility in actively participating in the sensitisation of the member states and the awareness to generate interest amongst stakeholders.
He also spoke of the importance of quality food control and standard food processing. The FAO boss noted challenges of producing food that meets the standard of the international consumption. He described the production of good food and processing of standard food as a serious challenge for Africa.
Mr Ahmadu then assured the stakeholders of FAO’s resolve to help and capacitate the stakeholders in ensuring that their capacity is not to only build and strengthen but also upgrade and replicate. Momodou Gassama, health promotion officer at WHO, spoke of the cordial relationship between the United Nations agencies and the department of state for Health. According to him, they are looking at the key determinants of health which he cited nutrition as among.
He said the project will oversee diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, among others. He urged stakeholders to consider the participation of consumers and sensitisation of the public.
The aim of the meeting was to review and discuss the draft report prepared by the Codex Committee and also to get feed back of the people regarding the document. In his opening remarks, Abdou Kolley, the secretary of state for Trade Industry and Employment, said the Gambia as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Codex Alimentarius and the International Standards Organisation, is obliged to develop and apply food standards that are harmonised with internationally accepted norms.
According to him, this will go a long way in enhancing Gambia’s participation in the international food trade, in terms of being able to export quality and safe agricultural, fisheries and other commodity based food products.
He said that currently The Gambia exports groundnut, horticultural and fish products to international markets, particularly Europe. He added that some of the exporters of groundnut and fish have been facing rejections due to quality concerns. He recalled that concerns have been raised by both the Gambia government authorities and Gambian consumers on the quality of the food products imported into the country.
The Trade Secretary of state further noted that the key products featured are edible oils and fats, poultry meat and eggs, food flavourings and seasoning and soft drinks. He recognised the need to put in place the appropriate food standards.
Babagana Ahmadu, FAO representative in The Gambia, briefed the meeting on FAO’s stands in the activity, describining it as one of the mandates of the organization. He informed the meeting of their responsibility in actively participating in the sensitisation of the member states and the awareness to generate interest amongst stakeholders.
He also spoke of the importance of quality food control and standard food processing. The FAO boss noted challenges of producing food that meets the standard of the international consumption. He described the production of good food and processing of standard food as a serious challenge for Africa.
Mr Ahmadu then assured the stakeholders of FAO’s resolve to help and capacitate the stakeholders in ensuring that their capacity is not to only build and strengthen but also upgrade and replicate. Momodou Gassama, health promotion officer at WHO, spoke of the cordial relationship between the United Nations agencies and the department of state for Health. According to him, they are looking at the key determinants of health which he cited nutrition as among.
He said the project will oversee diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, among others. He urged stakeholders to consider the participation of consumers and sensitisation of the public.
Author: by Musa Ndow
See Also - See Also