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Food Safety Act, 2019 (No. 7 of 2019).

Country/Territory
Zambia
Document type
Legislation
Date
2019
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Long title
An Act to provide for the protection of the public against health hazards and fraud in the manufacture, sale and use of food; provide for streamlined process for regulatory clearances for regulatory health requirements for food premises; establish the Food Safety Coordinating Committee and provide for its functions and powers; provide for health inspection reports and report notices; establish the National Food Laboratory; repeal the Food and Drugs Act, 1972 and sections 79 and 83 of the Public Health Act, 1930; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing
Subject
Food & nutrition
Keyword
Basic legislation Food quality control/food safety Hygiene/sanitary procedures Authorization/permit Consumer protection Institution Governance Processing/handling Inspection Packaging/labelling Monitoring Public health Fraud Offences/penalties Gender
Geographical area
Africa, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Nations, Least Developed Countries
Abstract

This Act is made to provide for the protection of the public against health hazards and fraud in the manufacture, sale and use of food; provide for streamlined process for regulatory clearances for regulatory health requirements for food premises. It establishes and provides for the composition of the Food Safety Coordinating Committee for the purpose of implementing the Act. The Minister shall, in appointing the members of the Committee, ensure equitable gender representation, and representation of the youth and persons with disabilities in accordance with the Constitution. Furthermore, the Act establishes and provides for the composition of the National Food Laboratory which is responsible for examining, analysing and conducting research to determine the quality, efficacy and safety of food articles. The Act also authorises certain persons to enter into lands or premises where food articles are manufactured to to inspect food articles and take samples for investigation, and perform incidental duties. Essentially, the Act prohibits the sale, import, export, manufacture or storage of foods which are contaminated, adulterated, unsafe, contains poisonous or harmful substances, or is generally unfit for human consumption. It also prohibits the handling of food without obtaining a certificate of compliance or health inspection report. Similarly, it provides that food shall be transported and stored in ways that preserves the composition, quality and purity of the food. The Act makes extensive provisions prohibiting deception in the labeling, packaging, and misleading advertisements of food and makes it an offence for the contravention of these specific prohibitions.

Full text
English

References - Legislation

Repeals

Food and Drugs Act (Cap. 303).

Legislation | Zambia | 1972 (2006)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Institution, Food quality control/food safety, Fraud, Packaging/labelling, Inspection, Offences/penalties, Animal health, Drugs

Source: FAO, FAOLEX