EFDA Emphasizes Collaboration to Strengthen Food Safety Nationwide

Addis Ababa, June 8, 2026 — The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) says unsafe food remains a major driver of illness in Ethiopia and is calling for strengthened collaboration across government, industry, academia, and development partners to improve national food safety.

EFDA Director General, Heran Gerba highlighted that unsafe food is a significant contributor to illness, with global statistics indicating over 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually due to unsafe food.

Ethiopia faces various food safety hazards, including microbiological threats, heavy metals, toxins, and food adulteration.

To tackle these challenges, the EFDA advocates for a shift from identifying burdens to implementing evidence-based solutions.

 

This includes strengthening regulatory systems and fostering collaboration among food institutions, development partners, academia, the private sector, and government stakeholders.

Key enabling frameworks such as food and nutrition policies, strategies, proclamations, and legal instruments are essential for effective food safety management.

Heran emphasized that food safety is a collective responsibility and reaffirmed EFDA's commitment to working with partners to provide the public with safe and quality products.

Hence, the director general urges industry actors to adopt quality management systems to ensure that only safe, standards-compliant products reach the market.

Strengthening laboratory capacity is crucial for preventing food safety risks and enhancing the authority’s ability to test food quality.

At the national level, various activities are already underway in coordination with relevant stakeholders to improve the food preparation supply chain. The use of technology is enhancing information sharing, while international legal frameworks and stronger enforcement are building capacity in the sector.

The Director General acknowledged the support from development partners and called for continued cooperation to sustain progress in food safety initiatives across the nation.

On her part, WFP Ethiopia Supply Chain Head, Clara Silva emphasized priorities including deeper partnerships for food quality assurance, strengthening national food fortification capacity, expanding the reach of food testing laboratories, and reinforcing food systems that connect production to safe consumption.

In this respect, WFP remains committed to working with Ethiopian government institutions, sister UN agencies, research organizations, and the private sector to reduce foodborne disease burdens and ensure safe and nutritious food for Ethiopians, she added.

She, finally, extended a message of solidarity to all stakeholders, wishing everyone an “even” observance of World Food Safety Day and calling for continued transformation of challenges into solutions.