BY JOACKIM KULE
Nutrition experts have raised concern over the alleged lack of information about food safety and consumer rights among the citizens in Uganda.
The experts mostly from CONSENT Global Consumer Center, a Nongovernmental Organization operating in the country, allege that some people have continually consumed foods that are spoilt right away from the processing areas.
They argue that the consumption of unsafe foods have had a huge impact in terms of health to the consumers and the wellbeing of the entire population.
Food safety concerns are also having negative impact on domestic, international trade and industry hence affecting the socio-economic development of the country and her citizens.
Following such a trend, the management of CONSENT Global Consumer Center has resorted to organizing a series of engagements with stakeholders in some parts of the country and Kasese district inclusive.
The engagements are aimed at sensitizing the stakeholders about the need to ensure that the community consumes safe foods as one of the pre-activities for the World’s Consumer Rights’ Day that will be celebrated on March 15, this year.
Yesterday, the organization held an engagement meeting with journalists and the masters of ceremonies operating in Kasese. The meeting was held at Uhuru 50 Gardens in Kasese town.
Mr. Bernard Bwambale, the Programs Manager at CONSENT Global Consumer Center, highlighted that the population suffers a challenge related to inadequate information about their rights on food consumption and safety of the foods to be consumed, something he said leads to the development of diseases resulting from food borne infections.
Mr. Bwambale, who is a Public Health Expert, indicated that the rate at which children are experiencing stunting is high with Kasese standing at 41.6%.
He attributed the challenge to the manner in which some children grow when they are lacking proper nourishment (food) during the first 1,000 days of life from conception to the age of two, adding that 54% of the adults in the country were also stunted while still young. This, according to him results into poor health, low intelligence, low education, low income and low productivity.
Ms. Maria Theresa Nagawa, one of the participants from the MC’s fraternity acknowledged that most people were eating unsafe foods due to lack of information and knowledge about consumer rights.
She appealed to the health inspectors and religious leaders to work closely and sensitize the population about their rights and safety of the foods that they are ought to eat.
Mr. Mark Jotton Thamwanza, a person living with disabilities and a member of the MC’s fraternity observed need for the women and persons living with disabilities to be brought on board when it comes to addressing the challenge since they are among the victims.
ENDS
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