Call for Safer Food Systems

Government, regulators, industry and development partners push coordinated action to reduce foodborne diseases in Zambia

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (24-06-2026) --- Food safety is a shared, urgent national priority that requires coordinated action across the entire food system—from production to consumption—to reduce preventable foodborne diseases and improve public health and development outcomes in Zambia.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, underscored this position during the World Food Safety Day 2026 commemoration held in Lusaka, saying food safety is a critical public health and development issue that requires sustained, multi-sectoral collaboration.

He said strengthening food safety systems is essential to reducing the burden of foodborne diseases, which continue to affect health outcomes and strain national resources.

Dr. Lishimpi said foodborne diseases remain a major global concern, with World Health Organization estimates showing about 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually, with children under five among the most affected.

In Zambia, he said the Ministry of Health has recorded over 7.2 million cases of non-bloody diarrhoea, 158,922 cases of food poisoning, 94,532 cases of infectious diarrhoea, 92,557 cases of severe dehydration and 18,753 cases of viral diarrhoea.

He noted that most of these cases are preventable through improved hygiene, safe food handling, proper cooking and stronger inspection systems.

He said Government is strengthening food safety systems through improved inspections and surveillance, enhanced laboratory capacity, stricter enforcement of standards and intensified public awareness campaigns.

He stressed that food safety should not be treated as a reactive health issue but integrated into national development planning, adding that sustained compliance across the food chain is key to reducing disease burden.

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) said the commemoration, held under the theme “From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere,” calls for practical action to prevent foodborne diseases rather than awareness alone.

The agency defined food safety as the proper handling, preparation, storage and distribution of food to prevent contamination and protect consumers.

ZCSA noted that unsafe food remains a major global challenge, contributing to millions of illnesses, deaths, high healthcare costs, reduced productivity, food waste and barriers to trade.

In Zambia, it said these impacts are also felt in public health, livelihoods, tourism and economic growth.

The agency emphasized that foodborne diseases are largely preventable through coordinated action across the entire food chain.

It urged farmers to adopt good agricultural practices, processors to implement food safety systems, traders to maintain hygiene and proper storage, while regulators were called upon to strengthen inspections and enforcement. Consumers were also encouraged to handle and prepare food safely.

ZCSA further stressed that food safety is a shared responsibility involving government, the private sector, researchers, development partners and consumers.

It explained that government sets standards and enforces compliance, the private sector ensures safe production, researchers support innovation, development partners provide technical support and consumers drive demand for safe food.

The Ministry of Education also highlighted the importance of food safety in schools.

Permanent Secretary for Education Services, Dr. Kennedy Mambwe, said children are among the most vulnerable to foodborne diseases, which contribute to illness, absenteeism, poor concentration, malnutrition and reduced learning outcomes.

He said the Government’s School Feeding Programme has improved attendance and performance, but its success depends on strict adherence to food safety standards.

Dr. Mambwe warned that failures in food handling at any stage—procurement, storage, preparation or serving—could undermine the programme and endanger learners.

He called for stronger enforcement of food safety standards in schools, training for food handlers, improved hygiene and sanitation facilities, enhanced monitoring systems and the integration of food safety education into school health programmes.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reinforced the call for coordinated action, stating that responsibility for safe food extends across the entire value chain, from farmers to consumers.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Zambia, Percy Filippini said ensuring safe food requires collective effort from all actors involved in food production, processing, transport and consumption.

The food industry also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food safety systems. DO & TO Import and Export Limited Director Donato Elicio said food safety is both a regulatory requirement and a responsibility to consumers.

He said safe food protects public health, builds consumer confidence and supports trade and economic growth.

Elicio called for greater investment in good practices, innovation, training, traceability and compliance with food safety standards, adding that the industry remains committed to working with government, regulators, development partners and consumers.

The commemoration brought together government officials, development partners and key institutions including the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Food Programme, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Zambia Bureau of Standards, Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority, Zambia Environmental Management Agency and the National Food and Nutrition Commission.