A one day seminar on the 'Role of the media in The Gambia's Food Safety and Control System-Need for increased Consumer education' was organised by the National Codex/ Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Committee (NCC) on Thursday, 12 February, 2009, at the NaNA Conference Hall at Mile 7 in Bakau.

In his introductory remarks, Dr. Omar Touray, Chairperson of the NCC, told the media practitioners that this seminar is organised to ensure their involvement and greater participation in disseminating information relating to Food Safety and Control system in The Gambia.

He pointed that the media are important partners in these efforts to ensure that there safe food for consumers in this country.

Dr. Touray urged for the cooperation of the media who, he said, are given a significant role to play in the work of the NCC.

Speaking on behalf of the GPU President, Pa Modou Faal, the President of the Health Journalist Association, indicated their interest and readiness to work with the NCC on food safety matters. Mr. Faal said the seminar for media practitioners is a clear demonstration of the NCC's acknowledgement of the effective role that they can play towards the attainment of their goals.

"Since food safety affects everyone, everywhere, consumers are hungry for news on the latest food safety and nutrition studies and what control systems, if any, are in place" said representative of the GPU President.

He said that it is reassuring that the NCC is teaming up with FAO to support journalists to "improve our common understanding not only on the current food control system and safety issues, but also on the strategies put in place to strengthen the system."

Mr. Faal concluded his statement saying "...Let us make the maximum use of today's session to enable us continue to be useful instruments in the general interest."

Resuming the session after Tea/Coffee break, Mr. Malang N. Fofana, NCC Secretary, in a power point presentation, acquainted the participants with the provisions of the Food Act 2005. He gave history of the existence of fragmented and sector bias legislations and regulations and the inadequacies prior to the development of the Act.

Mr. Fofana explained the operational structure of the National Codex Committee which was established in 2002 and revitalized in 2006 and its various technical bodies. According to Mr. Fofana, it was in 2008 that the NCC was broadened to include Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) issues; that this was due to the growing recognition of the need for The Gambia to address food safety, animal and plant health in a more integrated and the need to meet the obligations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) SPS agreement.

He elaborated on the functions of the NC/SPS Committee in relation to cooperating with national, regional and international bodies on issues of food safety, raising public awareness on the Codex and its procedures, providing advice and support to the structures and bodies established under the Food Act 2005. The achievements and priority actions of the NCC were also highlighted.

The Codex Secretary explained the role and composition of the Food Control Advisory Board, the Compliance Committee, the other Departments of State and Agencies such as Veterinary, Health, Fisheries, Agriculture, Trade, GRA, NEA, Tourism, Local Government.

Mr. Fofana Trade also highlighted the constraints and challenges facing the NC/SPS Committee.

Mr. Samba Conteh, the Chief Public Health Officer, in another power point presentation, elaborated on the 'Importance of Standards and Safety Measures in the Protection of Consumers'. He said the FAO and WHO have assisted in the improvement of quality and safety standards applied to food.

According to Mr. Conteh, the priority of Codex is to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

He said the UN bodies have also recognised the importance of consumer protection and that a (UN) General Assembly Resolution, in 1985, gave rise to the guidelines for Consumer Protection that was published in 1986; that these guidelines identify food as one of three priorities that are of concern to the health of consumers.

The Chief Public Health Officer touched on food quality and standards, nutritional quality,food control processes, environmental contamination, irradiation and biotechnology, consumer information and participation, food commodity and general standards. He also elaborated on the maximum residue limits for pesticides, veterinary drugs, food additives and contaminants as well as the general principles, guidelines and general codes of practice.

, Codex contact person and Executive Director of (NaNA), Mr. Modou Cheyassin Phall, deputizing the Chairperson of the Food Control Board, emphasized the importance and the great role of the media in disseminating information when it comes to food safety and its control system.

Mr. Phall said that the information the media disseminates should be accurate, timely, relevant and factual. He said it is the responsibility of the media as well as the health workers to sensitize the public on food safety issues.

The Codex focal person adviced journalist not give out conflicting information to the general public and should also desist from giving sensational or negative news. He said the media can focus on given coverage of positive nutritional issues that will help people to develop helpful dietary habits that promote good healthy living.

Mr. Ousman Sillah, Chairperson of the Technical Committee on Information and Media Support of the NC/SPS Committee and as well as seminar facilitator, in his presentation, said that the theme and focus of the seminar could not have been more relevant and timely than now, when there is growing recognition in the country of the need for safe food by both the public and individuals. He said findings have long established the link between health and food consumption and that the rising incidence of food borne pathogens and the nutrition related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension have led to public concern over food production and safety.

Mr. Sillah pointed that the innovation employed by the NCC to create and incorporate an Information and Media Committee in its processes is indeed a novelty in the operational arrangements of the Codex Alimentarius; that this was applauded by the FAO as an initiative that is worthy of emulation.

'This involvement of the media practitioners clearly shows the importance the NCC attaches to the crucial role that the media can play in increasing consumer education and awareness on food safety issues', said Mr. Sillah.

He informed the media practitioners that the NC/ SPS Committee has developed a comprehensive five year Strategic Plan of Action for Food Safety/ SPS issues in the country, from 2009 to 2013 and had held numerous meetings to receive input on the document before it reaches the final stages of national approval.

Mr. Sillah said that poverty alone is fatal, but that poverty and ignorance, combined, is catastrophic on the individual. He, therefore, called on the media to help in generating awareness on safe food consumption to lessen or alleviate the burden on the people.

He disclosed that a series of activities are planned by NCC designed to fully involve the media during the course of implementation of the five years Strategic Plan.

The Chair of the NCC Information and Media Committee told the participants that they are even considering the introduction of an annual award or certificate of recognition to the media house and reporter who has given the most extensive, accurate and positive coverage of food safety issues.

Mr. Sillah concluded that 'The media is, therefore, recognised as an important actor and crucial partner in the drive toward the attainment of the primary goal of the NCC to have Effective Standards, Quality Control and Safety Systems in place for Food and Feed (animal and plant health) in The Gambia by 2013.

Recommendations were made that aim for greater collaboration and involvement of the media in the work and processes of the NCC in the promotion of Food Safety and Control Standards.