National Food Safety Enforcement Manual cheer ZCSA
By Derrick Sinjela
On 22nd January 2026, Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) Regional Manager – South under Domestic Quality Monitoring Department, Elias Kansembe, Manager – Communications and Public Relations Brian Hatyoka and Inspector – Import Quality Monitoring Department Michael Mulenga attended an inception meeting in Lusaka convened to develop a National Food Safety Enforcement Manual (NFSEM).
Hosted by Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP) II, the NFSEM dialogue attracted representatives from the Irish Embassy, Ministry of Health (MoH), Sustainable Food Systems Ireland Team and Zambia- Ireland Sustainable Food Systems Strengthening Programme.
The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MoLF), Lusaka City Council (LCC), Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) and University of Zambia (UNZA) equally participated.
ZATP Manager Golden Makayi said the objective of the gathering was to support a more harmonised, risk-based approach to food safety, to allow agencies to focus resources where risks are highest, reduce duplication of work among agencies/ministries, and improve coordination of food safety controls.
This is particularly important given the number of institutions involved in food safety, animal health, plant health, customs, standards, and laboratory services in Zambia.
In a presentation to delegates, Mr. Mulenga said ZCSA is committed to monitoring the quality and safety of food products on the market through conformity assessment.
Mulenga said ZCSA ensures that the public is protected from health hazards emanating from consuming unsafe foods and use of non-compliant products.
“ZCSA conducts public sensitization on the dangers of consuming unsafe foods and use of non-compliant products. We also follow up on reported cases of unsafe foods and other products on the market,” Mulenga assured consumers beyond Zambia.
Other speakers called for harmonisation of enforcement approaches and clarify roles and responsibilities of different players in the food safety industry.
The presenters noted weak coordination among enforcement agencies.
During question-and-answer session, Mr. Kansembe called for the creation of a food safety portal where different players in the food safety industry can access information on matters of food safety.
Food safety means making sure that the food we eat is clean and safe and doesn’t make people sick.
It involves handling, cooking, storing, and preparing food properly to prevent germs and bacteria from causing illness.
ZCSA conducts thorough food factory inspection starting with the raw materials, production processes, packaging materials until the product is labelled and ready for the market.
Inspections ensure that the well-being of the consumer is safeguarded and ultimately reduce the outbreaks of foodborne diseases. Rainbow Newspaper Zambia Limited (RNZL).
