A Parliamentary Committee has spearheaded efforts towards safeguarding public health and consumer protection on food safety. 

The National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock chaired by Hon. Dr. John Mutunga  is set to meet with stakeholders Wednesday 26th, 2023 to receive submissions on the Food and Feed Safety Control Co-ordination Bill, 2023.

The Bill which is sponsored by the State Department for Agriculture and Livestock seeks to coordinate public institutions involved in ensuring the safety of food and feed products.

The primary objective of the Bill is to establish the Office of the Food Safety Controller, tasked with overseeing and coordinating the efforts of various governmental bodies responsible for food and feed safety. 

Additionally, the proposed legislation aims to delineate the role of county governments in this essential area, ensuring that both county and national authorities are actively engaged in ensuring the supply of safe food and feed to consumers. This move is in line with the Constitution, which recognizes consumer protection as a fundamental duty of the government.

Lawmakers’ learnt that the Bill covers the entire food supply chain, from production and distribution to processing, marketing, and preparation for human consumption. By addressing each stage of the food production process, the legislation seeks to minimize potential risks and hazards that could compromise food safety.

Clause 16 of the Bill outlines the role of county governments in relation to food and feed safety, mandating Counties to prepare an annual food and feed safety report. This provision empowers county authorities to actively participate in ensuring the safety and quality of food products available to their constituents.

The Bill further seeks to introduce a multi-annual control plan as outlined in Clauses 17 to 21which will be developed and reviewed by the Office of the Controller in consultation with competent authorities and county governments. This control plan will serve as the foundation for official control mechanisms, ensuring proper verification of food and feed safety requirements. Additionally, it will address overlaps in functions between competent authorities, conduct audits of food safety and feed safety mechanisms, and verify the accuracy of certifications, inspections, and validations.

Legislators acknowledged that the Food and Feed Safety Control Co-ordination Bill, 2023, will promote a robust and well-coordinated framework for food and feed safety. 

The Food and Feed Safety Control Co-ordination Bill, 2023 is expected  to advance to second reading stage of the legislative process, as the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock plans to engage stakeholders in the coming week.