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 controlfood safety and quality. The laws have establishedinstitutions that are responsible for regulating and controllingthe safety and quality of the food. They include theTanzania, Food Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the StandardsAct, the Atomic energy Act, the Meat Industry Act, the DairyIndustry Act, the Fisheries Act, the Sugar Industry Act andthe Cashewnut Industry Act. Notably, due to the recentamendments of the provisions of the Tanzania Food, Drugsand Cosmetics Act and the Standards Act by the FinanceAct 2019, food safety and quality is regulated by theStandards Act and no longer the Tanzania Food, Drugs andCosmetics Act.Despite this plethora of the laws and institutions, presenceof foods which are not safe for human consumption remainsa common phenomenon. This Article provides an analysis ofthe existing legislative framework for regulation and controlof food safety and quality in Tanzania. In doing so, theArticle shows the legal and institutional challenges; theseinclude multiplicity of laws and institutions, understaffing,inadequate resources (funds), lack of awareness on the partof consumers which results in poor enforcement and lack of specific penalties for violating provisions on food safety andquality. Lastly, the Article provides recommendations for theeffective regulation of food safety and quality in Tanzania.Keywords: Food, Food Safety, Food Quality, Regulation, Law