The lack of appropriate food safety assurance systems is the central issue that prevents the country’s economic development and public health safety. Several projects have been dedicated to developing and implementing Ethiopia’s food safety management systems. Ethiopia is constantly trying to strengthen its food safety by encouraging investments.
On April 28, 2022, Italy signed an agreement to grant €1.5 million, nearly 82.53 million ETB, to implement Ethiopia’s Food Safety Project. The signing took place at a ceremony in the Embassy of Italy in Ethiopia. The signing parties were H.E. Mrs. Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of the Ministry of Finance, and H.E. Mr. Agostino, Ambassador of Italy to Ethiopia. The project’s primary aim is to enhance Ethiopia’s food safety status.
The project’s primary activities include creating a national surveillance system on food safety hazards such as food adulteration & food hygiene practices and enhancing human & laboratory capacity on food safety. The project also supports agro-processors, food marketers, and catering service providers. It will be implemented in 25 major cities where many agro-food processing & catering services are found, where most food products are destined, and where people acquire their food through purchase.
