**6. The role of GHI and other professional societies in implementing food safety legislation in the developing economies**

GHI was launched in 2004 by the International Division of IFT and the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST) in collaboration with Food Safety Magazine and Elsevier Science. GHI officially achieved the status of a nonprofit, charitable association in 2007 and is registered in Vienna, Austria. GHI aims to harmonize food safety legislations and regulations based on solid science as datum for building consensus. GHI identifies issues presented with justification and evidence, then prioritizes them depending on the availability of experts as Working Groups (WGs) who then evaluate evidence provided to address the specific issue at hand [10]. Making food safety work in the developing countries requires a knowledgeable population. More often than not, the masses are easy to persuade and sometimes fall prey to misleading reports on food safety. Sometimes, politicians are culprits who twist food safety issues for political gain even when the claims are not scientifically sound. A case in point was the anti-GMO crusades conducted in Kenya in 2014–2015 leading up to the government's ban on production and trade of GMOs. GHI in its approach to promotion of harmonization of food laws is addressing serious issues that could be exploited to make food safety work in developing countries. These are discussed below.

and risk assessment is critical. Most regulations, however, should be the same in all countries; differences may only be needed because of specific eating patterns or genetic issues, like in Japan and Finland where a large part of the population has no beta-galactosidase and therefore cannot digest lactose, which makes too high concentrations of cow's milk in food products toxic for such people. GHI wants to harmonize the regulations so that trade barriers are removed and food is not destroyed at the border just because the regulations between countries differ [10, 11].

Food Safety Legislation in Some Developing Countries http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75587 31

The GHI is developing a Global Incident Alert Network for unauthorized food additives. In such a case, whenever it is found that an illegal (unauthorized) substance that can harm consumers is added to food, in any part the world, the individual who discovered that is tasked with the role of alerting a dedicated committee who will then have the means and the protocol to verify the issue within a short period of time and communicate the same to the relevant authorities who should then take the necessary actions to correct the situation. If necessary, this may be done anonymously, avoiding represailles by the employer. Such an initiative can also help developing economies and enhance transparency and adherence to food safety rules

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an intergovernmental body that is involved in development of food safety standards and is officially recognized by WTO as the arbitrator in conflicts involving food safety legislation between countries or companies at the international level [12]. Though CAC has done a great deal in this regard, it has faced a few challenges that derail its efforts in harmonizing food safety regulations. First, it meets annually and this means the matters agreed at such meetings do not receive speedy progress. Second, the participants to these committees are not always food technologist with grounding on food safety; furthermore, they may strive to secure the interest of the countries they represent as a priority. The African Union (AU) has formed expert committees that mirror those of Codex. These food safety experts' committees now can offer thoughts considered as Africa's position on food safety matters. This is a key development as it offers a focal point of responding and dissemination of information. The AU is also fronting the formation of the African Food Safety Authority that will set standards for monitoring Africa's food supply chain, an equivalent of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). There must be a good political will for food safety legislations to work in the developing economies and this initiative being spearheaded by the political arm of AU may just be the right recipe for stimulating local action [2, 11].

**6.6. Innovations that could lead to a faster and better legislation of food safety in** 

The first strategy is the implementation of the rapid alert and response system: that was proposed by GHI in 2014. This system if operationalized can lead to information sharing across the countries. Sharing strategic information could easily save lives by stopping potential

**6.4. Global incident alert network**

**6.5. FAO, CAC and other international organizations**

and regulations [11].

**the developing world**

#### **6.1. Development of working groups on nomenclature of food safety**

The organization believes that meaningful consensus building regarding food safety legislations and regulations can only be achieved if stakeholders have the same understanding of the working definitions of terms used in the area of food science and technology. This is often taken for granted, yet GHI experts prove that even among English-speaking nations like the UK and the USA, some terms used can markedly differ in their meaning. Take the definition of food additives for example, this is markedly different between Canada, US, EU and Japan. GHI has a Working Group Nomenclature on Food Safety and Quality, which had started with harmonization of Russian and English legislations particularly with regard to definitions of terms used in food safety and quality. Such a common definition will lead to a better understanding among food safety experts and enhance consensus building among the developing countries as well with the promise of better implementation of food safety legislation and regulations [11].

#### **6.2. Training and education**

The GHI Working Group on Education's aims to develop a curriculum for educating the public and all stakeholders in the food value chain is very timely. The curriculum is targeting food handlers and also everybody else in the food value chain. The WG aims to create training tools and materials written in simple understandable language and including use of pictorials targeting those who are not able to read. In addressing the knowledge gap, GHI works to ensure that certain key messages in food safety need to be presented in the local languages and in a manner that is understood to the media, political class, and consumers. GHI is of the opinion that food safety legislations and regulations are often written in a manner and a language that is difficult to understand even for trained professionals. Regulations must be "translated" into understandable language, so that people affected can appreciate them.

#### **6.3. GHI wants regulations to be based on good science**

GHI's impartiality can be harnessed to help promote consensus on standards and eradicate possible barriers and destruction of an otherwise safe food due to different countries' legislation. Evidently, it is not for lack of consensus among scientists that differences in food safety legislation occur but rather in the language and communication of the science to various stakeholders. To improve this, building of capacity in terms of personnel, data management, and risk assessment is critical. Most regulations, however, should be the same in all countries; differences may only be needed because of specific eating patterns or genetic issues, like in Japan and Finland where a large part of the population has no beta-galactosidase and therefore cannot digest lactose, which makes too high concentrations of cow's milk in food products toxic for such people. GHI wants to harmonize the regulations so that trade barriers are removed and food is not destroyed at the border just because the regulations between countries differ [10, 11].

#### **6.4. Global incident alert network**

of experts as Working Groups (WGs) who then evaluate evidence provided to address the specific issue at hand [10]. Making food safety work in the developing countries requires a knowledgeable population. More often than not, the masses are easy to persuade and sometimes fall prey to misleading reports on food safety. Sometimes, politicians are culprits who twist food safety issues for political gain even when the claims are not scientifically sound. A case in point was the anti-GMO crusades conducted in Kenya in 2014–2015 leading up to the government's ban on production and trade of GMOs. GHI in its approach to promotion of harmonization of food laws is addressing serious issues that could be exploited to make food

The organization believes that meaningful consensus building regarding food safety legislations and regulations can only be achieved if stakeholders have the same understanding of the working definitions of terms used in the area of food science and technology. This is often taken for granted, yet GHI experts prove that even among English-speaking nations like the UK and the USA, some terms used can markedly differ in their meaning. Take the definition of food additives for example, this is markedly different between Canada, US, EU and Japan. GHI has a Working Group Nomenclature on Food Safety and Quality, which had started with harmonization of Russian and English legislations particularly with regard to definitions of terms used in food safety and quality. Such a common definition will lead to a better understanding among food safety experts and enhance consensus building among the developing countries as well with the promise of better implementation of food safety legislation and regulations [11].

The GHI Working Group on Education's aims to develop a curriculum for educating the public and all stakeholders in the food value chain is very timely. The curriculum is targeting food handlers and also everybody else in the food value chain. The WG aims to create training tools and materials written in simple understandable language and including use of pictorials targeting those who are not able to read. In addressing the knowledge gap, GHI works to ensure that certain key messages in food safety need to be presented in the local languages and in a manner that is understood to the media, political class, and consumers. GHI is of the opinion that food safety legislations and regulations are often written in a manner and a language that is difficult to understand even for trained professionals. Regulations must be "translated" into understandable language, so that people affected can appreciate them.

GHI's impartiality can be harnessed to help promote consensus on standards and eradicate possible barriers and destruction of an otherwise safe food due to different countries' legislation. Evidently, it is not for lack of consensus among scientists that differences in food safety legislation occur but rather in the language and communication of the science to various stakeholders. To improve this, building of capacity in terms of personnel, data management,

safety work in developing countries. These are discussed below.

**6.3. GHI wants regulations to be based on good science**

**6.2. Training and education**

30 Food Safety - Some Global Trends

**6.1. Development of working groups on nomenclature of food safety**

The GHI is developing a Global Incident Alert Network for unauthorized food additives. In such a case, whenever it is found that an illegal (unauthorized) substance that can harm consumers is added to food, in any part the world, the individual who discovered that is tasked with the role of alerting a dedicated committee who will then have the means and the protocol to verify the issue within a short period of time and communicate the same to the relevant authorities who should then take the necessary actions to correct the situation. If necessary, this may be done anonymously, avoiding represailles by the employer. Such an initiative can also help developing economies and enhance transparency and adherence to food safety rules and regulations [11].

#### **6.5. FAO, CAC and other international organizations**

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an intergovernmental body that is involved in development of food safety standards and is officially recognized by WTO as the arbitrator in conflicts involving food safety legislation between countries or companies at the international level [12]. Though CAC has done a great deal in this regard, it has faced a few challenges that derail its efforts in harmonizing food safety regulations. First, it meets annually and this means the matters agreed at such meetings do not receive speedy progress. Second, the participants to these committees are not always food technologist with grounding on food safety; furthermore, they may strive to secure the interest of the countries they represent as a priority. The African Union (AU) has formed expert committees that mirror those of Codex. These food safety experts' committees now can offer thoughts considered as Africa's position on food safety matters. This is a key development as it offers a focal point of responding and dissemination of information. The AU is also fronting the formation of the African Food Safety Authority that will set standards for monitoring Africa's food supply chain, an equivalent of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). There must be a good political will for food safety legislations to work in the developing economies and this initiative being spearheaded by the political arm of AU may just be the right recipe for stimulating local action [2, 11].

#### **6.6. Innovations that could lead to a faster and better legislation of food safety in the developing world**

The first strategy is the implementation of the rapid alert and response system: that was proposed by GHI in 2014. This system if operationalized can lead to information sharing across the countries. Sharing strategic information could easily save lives by stopping potential food-borne outbreaks before it happens or at least at a very early stage. Analysis of some of the major incidents involving food-borne illnesses in the world indicate that a majority of them would have been prevented had there been a proper reporting channel from those who were involved but who did not talk due to fear of reprisals and possible loss of jobs [11]. Operationalization of such an alert would enthuse consumer confidence leading to increase the economic development. Such a move would stimulate demand for high quality products that puts the whole food safety management system of the developing countries on a higher trajectory. Easier reporting channels, operationalization of help lines, including mobile apps that consumers and small-scale processors can reach to seek help and meet with experts in food safety can provide huge impact.

remarks that cause panic resulting in loss of what would essentially be good food, will be

Food Safety Legislation in Some Developing Countries http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75587 33

Lastly, laboratory facilities are key pillars to ensuring food safety in developing countries. However, they require huge initial investments, high running costs, and very well-trained personnel who are equally expensive to sustain. Developing countries should be encouraged to consider setting up regional centers of analysis, intra-country laboratories, shared regional analytical capacity, and even regional training. This suggestion when implemented will greatly lower the costs and improve access to laboratory analytical facilities. The collaborating countries can also realize a state-of-the-art facility thus enabling quick in-depth analysis that is very important in case of mounting surveillance or diagnostics in cases of disease outbreaks. The private sector involvement and support in availing laboratory analysis

Education is key area that must be addressed to provide capacity. Safety consciousness as a culture along the entire value chain is key.Food Biosecurity or Defense is increasingly becoming important, yet most developing countries are yet to begin to put policy mechanisms or laws that govern their food value chains and protect it from fresh threats like bio-insecurity or even bioterrorism. This also goes to developing countries' capacity in responding to biosafety concerns and accompanying legislation. It is high time developing countries begin to deal with the concepts of GMOs based on evidence and perhaps exploit this area that may lead to sufficient foods, thus eliminating the need to allow unsafe foods to enter the value chains due to food insufficiency [11]. Even though the countries have differing opinions on GMOs, the inadequate capacity to test for transgenics in developing economies makes it twice critical that some form of harmonized response based on evaluated and impartial evidence, be

This chapter has focused on the unique challenges to food safety legislation in some developing economies and the innovative ways in which the stake holders should approach the subject and make it more effective. It has also presented case studies of food safety situations in some developing countries: Asia (India and Nepal), West Africa (Ghana and Nigeria) and East Africa. Finally, it proposes major innovations that could be put into play to make food

The authors sincerely wish to thank Professor Huub Lelieveld for his insights into the role of GHI. In addition, we wish to pass our gratitude to Beena Sharma for providing invaluable input into the food industry situation in Nepal and to Vishu Savanth for the help with data

and facilities should also be considered seriously as a means to bridging the gap.

**6.7. Next dimension to making food safety work in developing economies**

reached to facilitate transboundary movement of GMOs.

safety legislation work more effectively in the developing economies.

avoided [11].

**7. Conclusions**

**Acknowledgements**

regarding food safety situation in India.

The second aspect that needs quick redress is regional risk assessment. Due to the nature of funding and capacity required to make this happen, countries and institutional collaborations in this area will help developing countries to not only cost-share requisite infrastructure, but also the ensuing data that may be similar in a number of cases. Such an undertaking will help countries avoid duplication of efforts, reduce unnecessary spending on infrastructure, and enhance better collaboration on matters of risk analysis data among neighboring countries.

Third, knowledge and training of populations on the food safety basics is the most important aspect in making food safety work best in developing economies. Food technologist and the food technology organizations including those adhering to the IUFoST ought to play a bigger role in pushing food safety agenda and particularly in the area of training and education. Both IUFoST and GHI have a training component (the universal food safety curriculum) that is envisaged to greatly improve consumer and other stakeholders' confidence to play their role of keeping processors and vendors in check with regard to food safety. Creation of awareness to consumers about their rights and privileges confers them confidence and empowers them to keep the food industry and government on toes to deliver on their food safety mandate. All food processors and street vendors, regardless of their remote location and "small" service, must be encouraged to register into clusters of 50–100 or even smaller groups through which expert knowledge on basic hygiene and safe food handling practices can be passed on to them.

Fourth, every single cottage industry that is set up must be made comfortable to realize that the food safety legislations are actually for their good and not meant to keep them away from business. This requires a better working relationship between law enforcing bodies and these food startups. The focus for these legislating bodies should be to midwife these businesses first to profitability through functioning food safety systems, rather than focus on levies when the factories can hardly break even.

Fifth, massive and urgent educational input is required in the area of abuse of additives, or fraud in using chemicals like calcium carbide as an artificial ripening agent in fruits and vegetables by unscrupulous traders in countries like India, and some places in Kenya [13]. Or even the use of formalin in meat preservation, or large doses of sodium metabisulphite in meat preservation to mention a few. The use of these and other cancer causing chemicals must be addressed to consumers and processors and their relation to cancer or the ensuing impact of that, on households and public health explained. It is very critical to make sure that people are made aware of the dangers of the use of such chemicals and their abuse. However, the education must be complete by making consumers understand the relationship between dose, exposure and the possibility of dangers particularly on additives. This way alarmistic remarks that cause panic resulting in loss of what would essentially be good food, will be avoided [11].

Lastly, laboratory facilities are key pillars to ensuring food safety in developing countries. However, they require huge initial investments, high running costs, and very well-trained personnel who are equally expensive to sustain. Developing countries should be encouraged to consider setting up regional centers of analysis, intra-country laboratories, shared regional analytical capacity, and even regional training. This suggestion when implemented will greatly lower the costs and improve access to laboratory analytical facilities. The collaborating countries can also realize a state-of-the-art facility thus enabling quick in-depth analysis that is very important in case of mounting surveillance or diagnostics in cases of disease outbreaks. The private sector involvement and support in availing laboratory analysis and facilities should also be considered seriously as a means to bridging the gap.

#### **6.7. Next dimension to making food safety work in developing economies**

Education is key area that must be addressed to provide capacity. Safety consciousness as a culture along the entire value chain is key.Food Biosecurity or Defense is increasingly becoming important, yet most developing countries are yet to begin to put policy mechanisms or laws that govern their food value chains and protect it from fresh threats like bio-insecurity or even bioterrorism. This also goes to developing countries' capacity in responding to biosafety concerns and accompanying legislation. It is high time developing countries begin to deal with the concepts of GMOs based on evidence and perhaps exploit this area that may lead to sufficient foods, thus eliminating the need to allow unsafe foods to enter the value chains due to food insufficiency [11]. Even though the countries have differing opinions on GMOs, the inadequate capacity to test for transgenics in developing economies makes it twice critical that some form of harmonized response based on evaluated and impartial evidence, be reached to facilitate transboundary movement of GMOs.
