Tanzania Embraces One Health Approach to Enhance Food Safety and Trade

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Tanzania has taken a step towards strengthening its food safety systems and bolstering trade opportunities with the official launch of the "Empowering Low- and Middle-Income Countries to Leverage One Health to Improve Food Safety and Fair Trade" (1H4FS) project.

The project, funded by the Republic of Korea and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aims to empower Tanzania and other beneficiary countries to utilize the One Health approach for a more holistic and effective food safety strategy. The inception workshop, held in Dar es Salaam, brought together 20 stakeholders from various sectors, including government, academia and other relevant organizations. The event served as a platform to officially introduce the project, review key findings from a prior Risk Ranking Workshop and initiate project activities.

ONE HEALTH: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FOOD SAFETY. Unsafe food and water pose a significant global health challenge, particularly in low-income countries, leading to illnesses, deaths and economic losses. The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness between human, animal, plant and environmental health, emphasizing that food safety can only be achieved through a collaborative and integrated approach. The 1H4FS project aligns with this philosophy, advocating for a comprehensive strategy that considers the entire food system, from production to consumption. By addressing food safety risks at multiple levels and involving diverse stakeholders, the project aims to establish more resilient and sustainable food systems.

Mololo Noah of the Prime Minister's Office emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships, stating, “Our participation from the Prime Minister’s Office, One Health Section, as a coordinating office demonstrates the importance of collaboration in addressing food safety issues in our country. This project promotes partnerships, communication and commitment among sector ministries, academic institutions and other stakeholders, ensuring that everyone has access to safe food.”

PROJECT GOALS AND ACTIVITIES. The 1H4FS project, spanning until 2028, seeks to empower countries to build safer food systems, safeguard public health and enhance fair trade opportunities through strengthening risk analysis capacity.

Jeffrey LeJeune, FAO food safety officer and lead technical officer of the project, said, “By empowering countries, the project aims to build safer food systems, protect public health and enhance fair trade opportunities in participating nations.”

Risk analysis involves:

• Risk Assessment: Identifying and evaluating food safety risks through laboratory testing, foodborne disease surveillance and analysis and the application of innovative technologies like whole-genome sequencing.
• Risk Management: Developing and implementing best practices, training programs and technologies to mitigate identified risks and promote adherence to international food safety standards.
• Risk Communication: Fostering stakeholder engagement, raising awareness about food safety and disseminating relevant information through various channels, including online platforms such as participation in International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN).