Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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Development of food safety policies, programs, legislation, and regulations
to ensure the safety of food from production to consumption
Development and improvement of capacity to provide analytical skills for
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monitoring foods on the market
Establishment of transparent health promotional systems and procedures to
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ensure that producers, processors, retailers, consumers, and other stakeholders
are properly informed on safe food handling as well as food emergencies
Development of systems to ensure national, regional, and international
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cooperation, collaboration, and coordination to ensure that stakeholders
work in a concerted manner
While these efforts will positively have an impact on the health and safety of people
in this region, there is a tremendous need for assistance to alleviate the continued
health threat in this region.
Compounding the problem is the fact that a large portion of the population in this
region suffers from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which makes
them more susceptible to the illness. Recent studies have reported that the preva-
lence of
Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, S. aureus, E. coli
, rotavirus,
Bacillus
cereus,
and
Brucella
is high in this region.
Severe poverty also contributes to the number of illnesses. According to a recent
report by CSPI, poverty is a negative contributing factor in several ways (2005):
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Unsanitary conditions in rapidly growing urban centers
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Lack of access to clean water
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Unhygienic transportation and storage of foods
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Low education levels among consumers and food handlers, leading to
reduced information on food safety
Lack of government financial resources to enhance food-borne disease sur-
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veillance and monitoring capabilities
Lack of implementation of food safety regulations through an efficient
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inspection system
Lack of modern facilities and utilities
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Lack of development of food safety education programs
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No means of conducting disaster planning and relief
CSPI also emphasized that street vendors are “an important source of affordable
food.” However, most street vendors are not regulated and do not meet minimal
standards for safe food. Most food purchased from street vendors may be prepared
well in advance and held for hours or days prior to consumption. In addition, equip-
ment used by the street vendors may not be adequate to hold the food at the proper
temperatures for safety.
Natural disasters also contribute to food safety needs in this region. This area
experiences a large number of natural disasters, including droughts, floods, earth-
quakes, and internal/civil strife. These disasters can disrupt the food distribution sys-
tem in the country and lead to improper handling or unsafe storage times for product
that ultimately will be consumed, thus exacerbating food safety issues.
