Food Safety Initiative launched

The CGCSA's recently appointed Food Safety Manager, Professor Lucia Anelich, says: "Food safety has been a major focus for many countries in the world for some time and the FAO and World Health Organisation (WHO) have held numerous symposiums and conferences specifically for developing countries, including South Africa, in an attempt to highlight the importance of food safety.

"Yet in South Africa, it ranks very low on the country's list of national strategic priorities - which is cause for concern because of the potential risk and the cost in resources, and potentially in human life."

With funding from many manufacturing, retail and wholesale organisations in the country, the FSI is starting what co-chair of the CGCSA, Miles Dally of Rainbow Chicken described as the beginning of the journey: "We don't have all the answers yet, in fact, we don't have all the questions, but with the active participation of members from all sectors of the food industry, we will be able to build up our Central Knowledge Database and with international networking, we will develop to the point where members will be able to access essential information, keep abreast of international trends and practices and become the leading, single authoritative body on food safety in southern Africa."

The FSI in South Africa is unique in that it is industry-driven and not a government initiative, as is the case with other food safety agencies.

FSI's mission is to provide independent and objective scientific advice on all food safety-related issues associated with the food chain to the South African food industry, stakeholders and the public at large to ensure safe food. It aims to create and maintain credibility and confidence among all clients.