Food Safety Expert Calls for Stronger Consumer Protection in South Sudan
By Kidega Livingstone
A food safety expert has called on South Sudan’s government and other stakeholders to strengthen public awareness, enforcement and monitoring of food safety standards to protect consumers from foodborne illnesses and other health risks.
The expert said greater attention is needed to ensure the safety and quality of both locally produced and imported food products sold in the country.
Speaking at a validation workshop for the Food Safety Association of South Sudan’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030, food safety expert Kuorwel Kual Kuorwel said all food entering the market should meet acceptable safety standards.
The workshop was held under the country program on Quality and Standards, supported by the International Trade Centre.
Kuorwel said food produced locally or imported into South Sudan should be safe for human consumption and free from harmful substances and contaminants.
He urged government institutions and other stakeholders to increase food safety awareness among farmers, food processors, traders, vendors and consumers.
“Food safety should be addressed throughout the entire food supply chain,” Kuorwel said, referring to the stages from production and processing to transportation, storage and consumption.
South Sudan faces several challenges in maintaining food safety and quality, including limited laboratory and testing capacity, gaps in public awareness and weaknesses in monitoring and inspection systems.
Previous research on the country’s food safety system has also identified risks associated with chemical contaminants, poor storage practices and contamination at different points along the food supply chain.
The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards is responsible for supporting standards development, inspections, quality assurance, certification and laboratory testing, all of which are key components of a stronger national food safety system.
The Food Safety Association of South Sudan was established to promote food safety and quality through monitoring, training and public sensitization. The association works with relevant institutions, including the National Bureau of Standards, to improve food safety practices and compliance with standards.
Robert Mathew, chairperson of the Food Safety Association of South Sudan, appealed to stakeholders to continue supporting the association as it implements its 2026-2030 strategic plan.
Mathew said collaboration among government institutions, development partners, private-sector actors and communities would be critical to improving food safety and protecting public health.
Experts say stronger awareness campaigns, inspections and testing systems are needed as South Sudan works to improve the quality of food available to consumers while strengthening its agricultural and trade sectors.
The implementation of the strategic plan is expected to increase awareness of food safety requirements, improve compliance with standards and strengthen coordination among institutions involved in food production, regulation, quality control and public health.
