3rd ACAFP Food Safety Conference for Africa
THEME: Food Safety in Africa: Past, Current & the Future
10th – 11th November 2023
Virtual Event
Welcome Message from the ACAFP President and Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee – PB Njobeh
Excellences, distinguished guests, delegates, colleagues, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the African Continental Association for Food Protection (ACAFP), African Union Commission (AUC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this maiden edition of the conference tagged ‘Food Safety in Africa: Past, Current and the Future’. I am absolutely confident that this virtual conference will be a great success. While Africa has been at the forefront in food production, food storage has been above her means, being dependent on the West on aid. This has been compounded by harsh weather conditions, inadequate food preservation techniques, irregular power supply and the lack of political will, coupled with political instability that characterizes her to have the frail economies that can ensure food security. Food is of infinity of varieties in Africa, abundantly blessed with varieties of cereals, nuts, tuber crops, fruits and vegetables which are all essential for nutrition and health but require quick consumption and are difficult to preserve. Further to these are challenges of safe food. Since everything is connected, Africa has to first resolve these issues. This situation therefore, necessitates that the topic on Food Safety in Africa via this platform brings together various stakeholders to tackle these challenges.
Critical technologies have been identified in areas of new methods of investigation, technologies of innovation and development for food safety and security, public policy on food safety, instrumentation for hazardous contaminants, food and health risk assessment, risk communication, food control and regulation, impact of climate change on agriculture in Africa, amongst others. Africa as one, must ensure that the future is brighter than ever before. I am quite excited with the partnership between ACAFP, AUC and FAO in organizing this great event. I really look forward to the discussions and potential solutions to food safety challenges that will follow during this virtual conference.
I would like to use this medium to equally express my sincere gratitude to the sponsors, exhibitors and members of organizing committee for all of their efforts and time in organizing this conference. In closing, I wish all a fulfilling, wonderful and successful time at this conference and look forward to many more editions to this conference.
PB Njobeh (Professor, University of Johannesburg, South Africa)
Welcome Message from the President ACAFP and Chair Conference Organizing Committee – Joseph A. Odumeru
Dear Delegates
It is a pleasure to welcome all delegates to the first ACAFP Conference on Food Safety in Africa scheduled for Nov 10 – 11, 2021. The conference will be held virtually as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and we hope that you are all able to join us using the State of the Art technology that allows us to hold this valuable food safety conference on a virtual platform.
ACAFP is an affiliate of the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) that provides a forum for food safety professionals in industry, international organizations, government, academia, and students in food safety programs to share information and experiences on food safety related issues in the Continent of Africa and to share ideas on how to improve the quality and safety of foods produced in the Continent as well as imported and exported food products. The organization welcomes members not only in the Continent of Africa but across the Globe, that have interest in Food Safety in the Continent.
Hosting a Conference on Food Safety in Africa is one of the top goals and objectives of ACAFP and the Board of Directors of the organization are very happy to partner with African Union Commission (AUC), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) in hosting this important and valuable Conference on Food Safety in Africa. The conference theme is “Food Safety in Africa, Past, Current and The Future” and 5 subthemes that address this theme.
We are very confident that the excellent scientific and food safety policy-based content of the conference proceedings including technological advancements will contribute to current and future Food Safety initiatives in Africa. We welcome delegates across the continent of Africa and outside the continent to engage virtually with each other and with the exhibitors participating in the conference.
We look forward to your participation in the presentations, posters, exhibition of food safety technologies and products, and exchange of scientific and policy related information on food safety in Africa.
With Best Regards
Joseph A. Odumeru Ph.D.
President ACAFP and Chair Conference Organizing Committee
WELCOME MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT OF IAFP – Mr David Tharp
Delegates, Presenters, Exhibitors and Sponsors,
We are extremely proud to be involved in supporting the organization of the “ACAFP Food Safety Conference for Africa.” This conference has been in the planning for many years and it is now exciting to see that it will take place over the dates of November 10 and 11, 2021. The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) has encouraged conference organizers over the years and worked to bring this event to fruition. It is so exciting to see it take shape now as it has developed into a quantum event.
Participants in this event will learn from each other over the two-day program. Presenters will come from academia, industry and government all with a different perspective on the same lofty goal of providing safe food to consumers. What could be more important than this? Safe and nutritious food helps prevent unnecessary illness and leads to improved public health which in turn leads to a productive society.
IAFP welcomes everyone to the ACAFP Food Safety Conference for Africa and we hope you will have an excellent experience that you can share with your colleagues. It has been said many times that food safety is not a competitive advantage. Food safety is information to be shared so that all parties can benefit from providing the consumer with a safe product. This fits in directly with IAFP’s mission: “To provide food safety professionals worldwide with a forum to exchange information on protecting the food supply.”
You are encouraged to join with the African Continental Association for Food Protection (ACAFP) and with IAFP to continue your personal food safety learning upon conclusion of this conference.
Best regards,
David W. Tharp, CAE
IAFP Executive Director