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By Judoemue M. Kollie
On June 7, 2025, Liberia joined global efforts to observe World Food Safety Day, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the critical importance of food safety and its far-reaching effects on public health and economies. The event, held at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town, brought together key stakeholders in the food safety sector to focus on the theme “Food Safety Science in Action,” underscoring the role of science in advancing food safety research and practices.
With approximately 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses occurring globally each year, unsafe food continues to pose a significant threat to human health, particularly affecting vulnerable populations, including women and children. This alarming statistic draws attention to the need for scientific and practical interventions to ensure food safety and mitigate public health risks.
In her keynote address, Precelia Cherue, the Director General of the Food Authority of Liberia, stressed the importance of applying scientific knowledge to detect hazards, prevent foodborne diseases, and enforce safety standards that not only protect lives but also foster trade. Cherue emphasized that the newly established Food Authority is prioritizing food safety science and aligning with international food safety standards.
The Director outlined key initiatives aimed at strengthening Liberia’s food safety framework, such as enhancing laboratory capacity, improving national surveillance systems, and promoting evidence-based policies and regulatory reforms. She also highlighted Liberia’s ongoing engagement with global platforms such as Codex, FAO, WHO, UNIDO, and INFOSAN, ensuring the nation adopts international best practices in food safety.
Stephen Y. Mambu, Director General of the National Standard Authority, echoed Cherue’s sentiments, calling for increased support to build capacity for food safety advocacy and awareness. Mambu underscored the importance of involving the private sector in ensuring safe food practices throughout the food production and marketing chains. He also urged development partners to integrate food safety into their program frameworks, ensuring that food security efforts are robust and sustainable.
“My appeal also goes to development partners who are supporting and implementing food security programs to ensure that food safety is strongly ingrained in the implementation frameworks of programs,” he said.
Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh Howe, Assistant Minister for Prevention and Curative Services at the Ministry of Health, stressed the need for a national commitment to food hygiene, safety, and nutritional quality. She argued that food security must go beyond availability to encompass the quality and safety of food. Howe highlighted that poor food handling practices are a direct contributor to foodborne illnesses and malnutrition, reinforcing the need for intentional, science-backed approaches to food safety.
“It is not just about making food available, but ensuring that the food we provide is safe and hygienic. We must be intentional in how we prepare and handle food because poor handling of food practices directly contributes to illness and malnutrition.”
The celebration served as a critical reminder that food safety is not merely a matter of food availability but one of ensuring that all food consumed is safe, nutritious, and hygienically handled to prevent public health crises. As Liberia continues to strengthen its food safety systems, stakeholders are urged to collaborate in making food safety a national priority, safeguarding the health of all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.
