Rwanda enhancing manufacturing of Fortified Foods

Posted on : Thursday, 29th October 2020

Rwanda has boarded onto a new approach towards fortified foods and to develop its extensive production and consumption as a way to decrease the striking numbers in the country.

 

The regulations by the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) authorises the production of fortified foods from  food processing companies in Rwanda which are well labelled, packaged  and transported under hygienic and safe environment.

 

The food items that are needed to be fortified involve wheat flour, maize flour, sugar, salt and cooking oil, which are meant to exchange those that are locally produced and don’t have the necessary measured food nutrients to help the country fight malnutrition.

 

FDA said that a replacement mapping will enable existing private food processing companies engaged in massive production of fortified foods as research figures shows that only seven companies are certified to provide fortified food and other seven awaiting certification.

 

“We have done a mapping of all food industries in Rwanda which we'll release a full soon, but briefly we earmarked 636 companies which may be classified according to their capacities so on skills to reinforce,” said Alice Muhimpundu, the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Laboratory Practices Inspector.

 

Though the mapping of food processing plants was delayed by Covid-19, FDA said that by December all companies within the world will got to have their fortified product registered but meet the requirements which include having proper equipment, qualified personal, sanitation and hygiene measures but also proper packaging.

 

“Besides these requirements we'll be supporting companies to maintain account of their products in order that we  can keep a track on the effects and performance of a product to consumers whenever there is any issue,” Muhimpundu.