The National Biosafety Authority says food safety is important and of public health significance.
And the Authority has pledged its commitment to ensure food safety as it regulates the use, application, research, import, export, transit of any products that may contain GMOs.
Speaking ahead of the World Food Safety Day, NBA Registrar, Mr. Lackson Tonga, said the need for safe and quality foods cannot be over emphasized.
Mr Tonga said risk assessment is an essential tool in ensuring safe and healthy foods.
“Food safety is of public health importance and the NBA plays a big role in ensuring the safety of the public, animals and the environment, “he said.
“Our mandate is to regulate the import, export, transit, research and development, use and application involving genetically modified products. Currently the stressful conditions due to various factors including climate change have resulted in human beings finding solutions to mitigate this and genetic modification has resulted into increased production of Genetically Modified foods,” He said.
Mr Tonga adds that the foods cannot be consumed without undergoing risk assessment, therefore, the NBA ensures the safety of humans, animals and the environment and this is done through a scientific evidence-based risk assessment of Genetically Modified products.
“Safe and nutritious food is key to sustaining life and promoting good health. If the food is not safe, it does not only pose a risk to the consumers but also the economy and the health care systems of a nation,’’ He said.
Mr Tonga, who is also NBA Chief Executive Officer, said the 2019 World Food Safety Day theme aligns very well with the Authority’s mandate.
“It is our business to ensure that any product that may contain or is made from genetically modified organisms on the Zambian market is safe. Such products do undergo risk assessment through a consultative process which also includes scientific evaluation by the Scientific Advisory Committee.
Mr Mtonga has further reassured that nation that GM food products that have been authorized by the NBA on the Zambian market are safe,” he said.
And Mr Tonga said the NBA is cognizant of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/ World Health Organization (WHO) Codex standards on Genetically Modified foods and is working towards incorporating those into some guidelines.