SPECIAL CHALLENGES IN MAINTAINING FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY
Import of food
Monitoring of the safety and quality of imported food was listed as a concern in 20% of the National Plans of Action. Examples include:
Pacificls h: systems for monitoring products being imported do not equate to those for export or for foods produced locally. A,f;ica fi current policy of trade liberalization has created loopholes for some traders to bring unauthorized agro-chemicals and veterinary drugs into the country. Africa d: consumer ignorance is a major concern which importers take advantage of to market foods which may be contaminated, adulterated, unsafe or unwholesome.
Training of personnel (inspectors and laboratory technicians) was a primary strategy which will be utilized to improve the quality of imported foods.