By Jacob Onuha Nelson
The Executive Director of South Sudan National Bureau for standards, Gloria Nyoka Joseph Lasu, has officially launched a National consultation on Codex and food safety workshop in Juba.
Addressing the Media during the launching in Juba yesterday, Gloria stated that Codex and food safety was an important component to be addressed not only at the level of South Sudan but also globally.
“Because when we say food safety, a lot of things come to our mind, starting from mycotoxins and hazards like heavy metals that can be found in foods, that can be found in toys that are for the children, and many things, even environment” she said.
“This wants us to have a clear plan, and also a clear body that will take all issues to do with safety,” Gloria said.
Nyoka emphasized that with SSNBS alone it can’t but with other stakeholders, it can be achieved and addressed by the nation.
“Like we need to have mirror committee for food additives, mirror committee for spices and herbs, we need to have four different mirror committees” she stated.
She underlined that these different mirror committees cannot be only with the members from National Bureau of Standards, stating that it would gather members from all the stakeholders.
In her part, Dr. Rita Gabriel Tulba, Chairperson for the National Codex Committee of South Sudan, emphasized that codex had played crucial role to protect the health of consumers in the country.
“We know that the main goal for Codex is to protect the health of the consumers, the health of the food consumers, including us as when we talk about the safety of food, that means we are talking about many things,” Gabriel acknowledged.
Rita reiterated that the establishment of South Sudan National Codex Committee played important role in supervising and collaborating with regulatory authorities to implement the objectives of codex committee.
“We have issues with food additives. I hope all of us will have good deliberation, and also, we come out with a good framework for food safety practice and food safety regulation, so that we improve the food safety practice in our country” Rita noted.
However, Peter Abui Paul, Market Development Specialist and the Coordinator for Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations stated that he was much honoured to be part of the special day to discuss matters on the food courts.
“Today is really a special day for us to be together to discuss matters on the food court, which is Codex. So, we will be talking about the National Codex Committee, the role of the National Codex Committee, the institutions involved, and why we formulate the Codex Committee in the country,” Abui appreciated the participants.
Mr. Abui appreciated the National Codex Committee in alignment with the International Codex Committees and Committees for Eastern Africa to work together to deliberate their ideas to improve the food courts in South Sudan.
However, he underscored since 2023 the Country had never launched the food safety, stating it was a challenge due to weak surveillance system, lack of infrastructure, and widespread post-harvest losses, leading to the consumption of unsafe and substandard food from neighbouring countries.
Food safety is a crucial aspect of keeping ourselves and our loved ones healthy in the family.
It is impossible to eradicate these contaminants from the environment, although measures can be taken to prevent or reduce their presence in food, particularly mycotoxins.
Pesticides and veterinary drugs used when growing crops or rearing animals can leave behind residues in food products, such as meat, milk, eggs, fruits and vegetable, and even in honey.
Those residues may pose a concern when they are present in food at unsafe levels. Strict regulations are in place to monitor and reduce the presence of these residues in food products, ensuring the protection of consumers.