BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The nation must prioritise food safety to reduce the incidence of illness among its people.
Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula expressed that if the country focuses on making food safe, the issues of drug shortages in hospitals would diminish, as the need for medical treatment would be significantly reduced.
He made these remarks on 19 June 2025 at the Mbabane Campus of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) during this year’s Food Safety commemoration, themed “Food Safety: Science in Action,” which was organised by the Ministry of Health with financial support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Eswatini.
Minister Matsebula thanked all organisations and individuals who contributed to the success of the event, which was attended by UNESWA Vice Chancellor Professor Justice Thwala, environmental science academics, and senior government officials from the Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Health. Students studying environmental health science at UNESWA also participated by presenting their research projects on food safety across various regions of the country.
In his address, Matsebula stated, “I am very pleased to join you all this morning to commemorate World Food Safety Day under the theme, Food Safety: Science in Action. The Ministry of Health is committed to honouring this day, signalling that food safety is taken very seriously by the Government of Eswatini as it is a prerequisite for our national food security. Food security cannot be achieved without food hygiene and safety.”
He emphasised the importance of public awareness regarding food safety practices, stating that the theme serves as a reminder for all involved in the food value chain to ensure that science underpins their best practices and interventions. “Science should be seen in action when developing our food safety policies, standards, guidelines, and laws,” he added. He highlighted that scientific knowledge is crucial for eliminating foodborne illnesses, reducing medical costs, and saving lives.
Matsebula pointed out that food safety is often taken for granted, yet it is integral to daily life. He noted, “We can have food in abundance, but it serves no purpose if it is not safe for human consumption.” He stressed the need to handle food safely to prevent diarrhoeal diseases and other food-related illnesses. He outlined the five keys to safer food: keep clean, separate cooked and uncooked food, cook food properly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.
The minister acknowledged the ongoing joint food inspection campaigns conducted by the Ministry of Health and Municipalities as a means to raise public awareness and ensure food safety at points of sale. He expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and other ministries, including Agriculture and Commerce, in protecting consumers from substandard food.
Matsebula made a special request to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to strengthen their Environmental Health Departments with adequate human and financial resources to achieve food safety goals. He urged all government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to enhance collaboration in food safety matters.
He expressed gratitude to the WHO for their consistent support of the event and acknowledged the vital roles played by various government ministries and departments in ensuring food safety throughout the food value chain. He concluded by assigning the formation of a Food Safety Coordination Committee in preparation for establishing a National Food Safety Agency (NFSA), emphasising the need for an independent body to address food safety issues in the country.
In closing, Matsebula thanked all attendees for their continued efforts and support towards food safety, expressing hope that together they could protect food quality to enhance health and reduce healthcare costs. He wished everyone well for the remainder of 2025 and beyond, reiterating the importance of the theme, “Food Safety: Science in Action.”
