Regulation of Food Safety and Quality in Mainland Tanzania: Examination of Legal and Institutional Challenges

Abstract

In Tanzania, there are several laws that regulate and control
food safety and quality. The laws have established
institutions that are responsible for regulating and controlling
the safety and quality of the food. They include the
Tanzania, Food Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Standards
Act, the Atomic energy Act, the Meat Industry Act, the Dairy
Industry Act, the Fisheries Act, the Sugar Industry Act and
the Cashewnut Industry Act. Notably, due to the recent
amendments of the provisions of the Tanzania Food, Drugs
and Cosmetics Act and the Standards Act by the Finance
Act 2019, food safety and quality is regulated by the
Standards Act and no longer the Tanzania Food, Drugs and
Cosmetics Act.
Despite this plethora of the laws and institutions, presence
of foods which are not safe for human consumption remains
a common phenomenon. This Article provides an analysis of
the existing legislative framework for regulation and control
of food safety and quality in Tanzania. In doing so, the
Article shows the legal and institutional challenges; these
include multiplicity of laws and institutions, understaffing,
inadequate resources (funds), lack of awareness on the part
of consumers which results in poor enforcement and lack of specific penalties for violating provisions on food safety and
quality. Lastly, the Article provides recommendations for the
effective regulation of food safety and quality in Tanzania.

Keywords: Food, Food Safety, Food Quality, Regulation, Law