By Efraim Paulus
Namibia has made significant strides in improving food safety in recent years, but there is still work to be done. One area that deserves attention is the informal food sector, which is often overlooked when it comes to regulations and standards.
Informal food traders are an essential part of the food industry in Namibia, but they are also the least regulated. This puts consumers at risk, as the informal sector often operates outside the realm of established food safety standards. To ensure that food safety is a top priority, it is essential that regulations are extended to all players in the food industry, including informal traders.
However, it is important to ensure that any new regulations do not put an undue financial burden on these small businesses. The goal should be to promote hygiene and safety, not to create additional operational costs that could hurt their bottom line. Therefore, special standards should be set that encourage good hygiene practices in the informal sector while keeping costs reasonable.
One way to promote good hygiene practices is to introduce a hygiene rating system for all food outlets and distributors. This would help consumers make informed decisions about where they choose to buy their food, and it would also incentivize businesses to maintain high standards of hygiene. By providing ratings based on hygiene practices, customers can feel more confident that their food is safe to consume.
Furthermore, it is crucial that food safety standards are enforced in the public sector as well. All vendors who provide services to the central and local government should comply with food safety regulations and be rated accordingly. The rating should be used in the tendering process to ensure that only those who are in compliance with the food standards and have a good rating will be awarded. This will set an example for the private sector and help ensure that all players in the industry are held to the same standard.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services should champion this and actively promote the health of Namibians by strengthening food safety in Namibia. Although Namibia has a Food Safety Policy in place, it does not make explicit provisions for regulation in the informal sector. Contrary to popular perception, an informal sector can be regulated through by-laws or policies that apply within a particular municipal area therefore local authorities have an important role to play in this respect, especially in ensuring compliance.
Over the years, local authorities in Namibia have been slacking on enforcing public and environmental health laws and developing preventative health by-laws to promote the prevention of ill health. This is particularly due to trifling budget allocations towards preventative health measures. Departments responsible for public and environmental health are understaffed and under-resourced, this situation particularly impedes the promotion of food safety in the informal sector as the local authorities are already failing to meet the demands of the formal sector.
In conclusion, it is time to reform the implementation of food safety policies in Namibia and extend them to all players in the food industry, including informal traders. Special standards should be set to promote good hygiene practices without increasing operational costs. A hygiene rating system should be introduced, and food safety standards should be enforced in the public sector. By taking these steps, we can help ensure that all Namibians have access to safe and healthy food.
Efraim Paulus is the Secretary General of the Namibia Environmental Health Association (EHAN)