Introduction
Low quality and unsafe food and water constitute major public health and well-being problems which cause infant mortality and malnutrition in all age groups, and also lowers productivity considerably. It is quite frightening to know that millions of people worldwide become sick as a result of consuming contaminated and unsafe food. Africa alone records about some 800,000 child mortalities each year as a result of diarrhea and dehydration.
Despite the terrible and unacceptable impact of low quality and safe 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 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 and 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 of good quality and safe.
It is imperative to strengthen the capacities of the various African countries to develop a comprehensive, sustainable and integrated framework for food quality and safety and among the many factors that are needed, is the establishment an effective Food Information Organization whose core business is to give independent science based advice on all food quality and safety issues to all African countries. This entity shall be called The FOOD INFORMATION COUNCIL FOR AFRICA. Its ultimate aim is to ensure that the private sector, consumers and other stakeholders work in a concerted manner in this shared responsibility of assuring food safety.