Ethiopia’s government aims to establish an effective food safety and quality control system to protect public health from unsafe food while maximizing the economic and trade opportunities it creates, alongside positive impacts on livelihoods, the environment, and climate. With the launch of the National Food Safety Management Plan (2025-2029) and the National Food Safety and Quality Strategy for Primary Agricultural Produce, food safety has become a national priority. The government’s efforts emphasize the multiple benefits of improved food safety, including better health, stronger trade and economy, and enhanced food security and nutrition.
On September 19, 2024, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems hosted a Food Safety Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The forum aimed to assess the status of food safety measures and how to continue working towards improving food safety in the country.
Food safety challenges in Ethiopia largely stem from market failures, leading to both visible and hidden costs arising from contamination and foodborne and waterborne diseases. However, the potential benefits of improving food safety are enormous. While the policies are a step in the right direction, the real challenge lies in turning these detailed plans by the line ministries into effective actions.
At the forum, the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and the Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of strong regulation and creating an enabling environment for food safety improvements. The economic benefits of safer food, particularly in reducing healthcare costs and boosting consumer confidence in domestic and export markets, were a focal point of the discussions.
The speakers also underscored the need for more engaged stakeholders, increased capacity, and better infrastructure, including cold chain facilities, to make Ethiopia’s food systems safer and more efficient e.g., by reducing food loss and waste. This includes ensuring access to clean water, building appropriate food processing and market infrastructure, and improving value chain actors’ access to finance so they can make the needed investments in safe food production.
Multisectoral collaboration is key
Ethiopia’s new strategy encourages multisectoral engagement, recognizing that achieving safe food requires contributions from all parts of the food system—farmers, processors, traders, regulators, and consumers.
During closing remarks, Yirgalem Gebremeskel, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) representative, said that collaboration between various sectors is essential for the success of the new food safety plans.
The path forward
Ethiopia’s new food safety initiatives mark a significant step forward in addressing public health challenges and unlocking economic opportunities.
The Livestock Systems Innovation Lab, along with other research organizations will continue to play a vital role in supporting Ethiopia’s food safety journey. From conducting targeted research to building capacity for testing and regulation, the contributions will be crucial in realizing the vision of improved access to healthy foods for the people of Ethiopia.
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