The African Union announced an establishment of a food safety authority as well as a Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) yesterday in Kigali. The Minister of Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba, said the continent ought to have the food safety body based on the European model but tailor-made for Africa. The decision has been made following huge losses in international trade due to food safety issues. The minister pointed out that African food exports are at times destroyed or refused entry into developed markets thus leading to losses.
It is believed that the establishment of the authority would boost trade competence and avert food-borne diseases. It would uplift the living standards of Africans, especially those in rural areas.
FoodWorld 
I think this is a very good move. In addition to regulating food exports to the EU and the rest of the world, I hope this will also be used to regulate food imports to Africa. The economic benefits of such a move are huge. I work in London (imported food office) controlling food imports to the UK and EU, and I see large quantities of food being rejected and destroyed regularly. I think it is sad. I have plans to introduce such an idea, and help educate exporters and importers in Africa. I can help the AU with this project. Please put me in touch with the relevant section of the AU.
Dr J Senyah (Biochemist, Food Scientist, Senior Environmental Health Practitioner)