The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has convened a high-level National Codex meeting in Nairobi, bringing together representatives of government ministries and agencies and policymakers to strengthen Kenya's commitment to the Codex Alimentarius standards for food safety and trade.
The high-level policy and decision makers' engagement was intended to disseminate East African Community (EAC) Codex policy briefs on specific food safety concerns and call for action to bolster Codex activities to enhance awareness of the importance of standards in ensuring food safety, supporting trade, and fostering sustainable development.
With over 50 key stakeholders from diverse sectors in attendance, the event also provided a platform to discuss Kenya's position in Codex, review the implementation of past resolutions, and strategize on bolstering Codex activities both nationally and regionally.
This comes at a time when there is increased awareness on the importance of food safety in developing countries against a backdrop of dietary changes occasioned by climate change while market transformation is seen altering and possibly increasing food safety risks.