Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Developing communications capacity in food safety, food and agriculture production, diet, health and nutrition in Africa. The role of FICA

5^th Euro-Global Summit and Expo on Food & Beverages

June 16-18, 2015 Alicante, Spain

Cheikh Ndiaye

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

Low quality and unsafe food and water constitute major public health and well-being problems which cause mortality and malnutrition in all age groups, and also lower productivity considerably. It is quite frightening to know that millions of people worldwide become sick as a result of consuming contaminated and unsafe food. Available information indicates that 800,000 child mortalities occur in Africa each year as a result of diarrhea and dehydration. Despite the terrible and unacceptable impact of low quality and unsafe foods there is inadequate mention by government or the food industry to these problems. Though some positive interventions have been made by some countries to improve food quality and safety, much more still needs to be done. National policies and programs on food quality and safety matters need to be strengthened. Again, increasing globalization of food trade is associated with a substantial increase in food production, technologies adopted and varied modes of movement of food in international trade. This can be of benefit to Africa since it has great production potential but increased availability of quality and safe food, and increased employment and national income can only occur if domestic or imported African foods and food ingredients are safe and of good quality.