It’s hard to know if your food is safe to eat because sometimes, dangerous substances called aflatoxins hide inside it. You can’t see or taste these toxins. But Ms. Patricia Bageine Ejalu, the deputy executive director of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), says we need to work together to keep our food safe.
How Do I Know if My Food Is Contaminated?
You can’t tell just by looking or tasting it. UNBS makes sure the food you eat is safe. They visit the places where food is made, check the process, and test it in a lab. If everything is okay, they give it a special mark called the Q-mark. This is to protect you because you can’t see the tiny harmful things in the food.
What Are the Rules in Uganda for Aflatoxin Levels?
Uganda has standards for different foods, like maize grain and millet. These standards say how much aflatoxins are allowed. If a product meets these standards, it gets the Q-mark.
How Does UNBS Make Sure Food Is Safe in Markets?
UNBS works at the end of the food chain. They check products with the Q-mark in retail shops and supermarkets. They have a team that visits markets every few months. If a product doesn’t have the Q-mark, they can take it away.
What Happens to Businesses That Don’t Follow the Rules?
If a business breaks the rules, they can be fined or even go to jail. But UNBS tries to help businesses do the right thing first. They mostly fine people and take away their items. Then, the businesses can try to get the Q-mark again.
Have More Businesses Been Following the Rules Lately?
Yes, more businesses are following the rules now. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies got the Q-mark because they had to meet the standards to sell food.
How Does UNBS Educate People About Food Safety?
UNBS talks to traders and millers about the rules and how to follow them. They work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Fisheries. They also make sure that food leaving Uganda has the right permits and the Q-mark.
What Does UNBS Recommend for Producers and Consumers?
Producers should focus on safety, not just making money. How they handle food before it reaches you matters a lot. Consumers should only buy products with the Q-mark. It may be more expensive, but it’s safer. Good quality food also lowers prices over time.
Let’s not risk our health by choosing cheap food. Cancer is costly and deadly. Local governments in every district can help UNBS do this important work.
