As part of efforts to strengthen food safety systems across the continent, the third meeting of the African Food Regulatory Authorities Forum (AFRAF) opened on Thursday in Cairo, hosted by the National Food Safety Authority under the theme “Towards an Integrated African Future for Food Control Systems.”
The event brings together more than 100 representatives from 25 African countries, alongside regional economic communities, international organisations, development partners, scientific institutions and food industry stakeholders.
Chairman of the National Food Safety Authority and President of AFRAF, Tarek El Houby, said the forum reflects growing efforts to strengthen co‑operation among food regulatory authorities, exchange expertise, build capacities, and develop modern science-based food control systems. He noted that the forum has made significant progress in linking national and regional efforts and creating practical mechanisms for knowledge sharing and capacity building.
The meeting is discussing a number of priority issues, including risk analysis, strengthening laboratory capabilities, modernising food control systems through data and digital tools, supporting food innovation, enhancing co‑operation with the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and building capacity in food regulatory sciences.
President of the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), Samuel Godefroy, reaffirmed the organisation’s support for the forum, describing it as an important platform for regulatory integration and the advancement of food control systems across Africa.
Participants are expected to develop practical actions, partnerships and responsibilities that will help shape the forum’s future roadmap and work programme, supporting regulatory co‑operation and food safety integration at both national and regional levels across the continent.
