Project 20

Assessing the contamination level and prevalence of food adulteration on selected food Items (honey, milk and powder pepper)

Description

Food safety is a critical concern in Ethiopia, and food adulteration in markets poses a significant threat to public health. To address this pressing issue, a national surveillance system will be implemented in 11 regions, encompassing 24 major cities. These cities are chosen due to their status as tourist destinations, trade corridors, and areas of high food demand and supply, making them particularly susceptible to food adulteration practices.

This study, which began in September 2023 and will terminate at the end of 2025. Milk, Shiro flour, berbere powder, coffee powder, honey, butter, injera, bread, and wheat flour will be gathered and examined using standardized test procedures.

The surveillance system will provide vital insights into the nature and scope of food adulteration practices by thoroughly assessing these food samples. This data will be used to build targeted initiatives to reduce food adulteration, raise consumer knowledge about its dangers, and improve food safety and quality in these locations

Objectives

To generate continuous information on the occurrence of food adulteration at major food markets for the effective food safety risk management

To build human and laboratory capacity on food adulteration related safety risk assessment, characterization, analysis, communicate and management

To build the capacity of food markets on food adulteration management through training and technical support

To strengthen the enforcement of food safety regulatory framework along the food value chain and in particular in food markets

Funding Agency

Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)

Project Partners

EFDA

EPHI PI/s Contact Persons

Tesfaye Zeru (nubiya21@gmail.com)

Dr.  Adamu (adamu_bel2000@yahoo.com)