The director general of the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) has hailed the government of The Gambia for its decision to revamp the legal and institutional framework for food safety and quality in the country by establishing the FSQA.

Dr. Kebba Daffeh was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer Monday at his office at the headquarters of the National Nutrition Agency (NaNa). He said such a move places The Gambia in a clear vantage position to put in place a more effective and efficient modern national food control system. This, according to him, is expected to substantially impact on the national economy by enhancing agri-food trade and access to lucrative export markets. This, he went on, will contribute to poverty reduction and also enhance livelihoods of small producers who are responsible for the bulk of agri-food supplies. He used the opportunity to outline the key mandate of the Authority. "The Food Safety and Quality Authority of The Gambia (FSQA) is a newly created institution under the Office of the Vice President and Ministry of Women's Affairs. It is established by the Food Safety and Quality Act of 2011," he explained.

Daffeh disclosed that the Authority became operational on July 1st , 2013 with the appointment of a director general and deputy director general of the Authority. He further stated that the institution has a board of directors as its governing body, which was inaugurated by the Her Excellency, the vice president, on the 20th of December, 2012. The Authority's primary mission, Daffeh further explained, is to control and ensure the overall safety and quality of food including water, beverages and animal feed, along the food chain from production to consumption. "The Authority is also responsible for the inspection and certification, registration and licensing of food and feed establishments, approval of vehicles and vessels dealing with food, as well as the assessment and designation of laboratory services in terms of their technical capacities to carryout food and feed analysis/ testing for official control," he indicated. The Authority, according to him, is expected to contribute to consumer health and safety, the facilitation of trade and control of fraudulent food marketing, labeling and advertising practices. He stressed that the establishment of the Authority will greatly enhance Gambian exports and ensure safe and quality food in the local market.

He described this move as a major improvement on the previous food safety and quality regime that was characterised by fragmented institutional arrangements with food safety responsibilities embedded with different Ministries and Departments, resulting in inefficient controls, duplications of efforts and conflict of roles.

He disclosed that at the moment, the Authority is engaged in developing working principles, terms of references for appointment of other staff as well as complete the formation of the other structures such as the Scientific Committee and the Stakeholder Consultative Forum.