Egypt hosted the second meeting of the African Food Regulatory Authorities Forum (AFRAF) on Wednesday, gathering officials from across the continent to harmonise safety standards and support the African Continental Free Trade Area. The two-day meeting, held on the sidelines of the Food Africa 2025 exhibition, aims to strengthen regulatory cooperation and modernise food safety systems. The forum was attended by heads of African food safety authorities and international experts from Canada, Thailand, France, the UK, Italy, and Ireland, participating both in person and virtually. Tarek El-Houby, Chairperson of the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) of Egypt, opened the session by reaffirming Egypt's commitment to improving governance in food control across Africa. "The forum represents a strategic platform for regulators to develop modern food systems based on science and to support the capabilities of national authorities," El-Houby said. The discussions focus on developing monitoring and early warning systems, evidence-based decision-making, and updating regulatory frameworks to encourage innovation in the food industry. The meeting follows the launch of AFRAF in Cairo in 2023 and the adoption of the "Cairo Declaration," which established the platform to facilitate information exchange among regulators. The Cairo Declaration serves as the foundational charter for the forum, formalising the commitment of African regulators to collaborate on a unified approach. It outlines key objectives including the harmonisation of food safety laws to facilitate trade, the promotion of science-based decision-making, and the establishment of mechanisms for rapid information exchange regarding food safety risks. El-Houby noted the forum's significance in light of ongoing discussions regarding the operationalisation of the African Food Safety Agency (AFSA), stating that AFRAF remains a pivotal platform for coordinating efforts among African regulators. The NFSA acknowledged the support of the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS) in reinforcing the scientific basis of food legislation on the continent. The meeting is expected to conclude with recommendations to enhance regulatory governance and coordination between African nations.
