Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha Wafula has underscored the critical need for action on food safety.
She spoke during her address at the 54th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene held in Nairobi on Monday, March 11, 2024.
In her address, the CS highlighted the alarming global impact of foodborne diseases, with over half a billion people falling ill annually and half a million deaths recorded, particularly affecting Africa.
She further emphasized Kenya’s longstanding commitment to supporting international efforts in food safety standards as a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission since 1969.
In addition, CS Nakhumicha expressed gratitude to the United States for co-hosting the session with the Kenyan Government and urged all stakeholders to prioritize food safety and hygiene standards, emphasizing their pivotal role in public health agendas.
Nakhumicha called for collective action to ensure consumer confidence in the safety of the food supply.
The Cabinet Secretaries for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mithika Linturi, as well as Investment, Trade, and Industry’s Rebecca Miano, were among the dignitaries who also attended the event.
