MESPT Champions Food Safety as a Driver of Competitive and Sustainable Food Systems at World Food Safety Day 2026

MESPT joined government agencies, development partners, private sector actors, researchers, and food system stakeholders in commemorating World Food Safety Day 2026, held from 2nd to 5th June 2026 at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in Nairobi under the global theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.”

The four-day event provided a platform for dialogue and action on strengthening food safety systems in Kenya and highlighted the critical role food safety plays in protecting public health, enhancing food security, improving market access, and driving economic growth.

Representing MESPT, Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Amukhoye delivered a keynote address emphasizing the need to shift perceptions of food safety from a compliance obligation to a strategic business investment. She noted that food safety is increasingly becoming a market access, competitiveness, and business sustainability strategy for farmers, agribusinesses, processors, cooperatives, and traders seeking to participate in formal and high-value markets.

Drawing from MESPT’s experience implementing the AgriFI Food Safety Programme and the ongoing Green Employment in Agriculture Programme (GEAP), she highlighted how investments in food safety have enabled producers and agribusinesses to access premium markets, reduce product rejection rates, improve operational efficiency, strengthen buyer confidence, and increase profitability.

The CEO further underscored the strong link between food safety and climate resilience, noting that changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and post-harvest challenges are increasing food safety risks across agricultural value chains. She called for coordinated action among government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, researchers, private sector actors, and producers to build resilient, competitive, and safe food systems.

As part of the celebrations, participants also engaged in activities aimed at promoting food hygiene and public awareness on safe food practices, including a clean-up exercise at Nairobi City Park Market.

MESPT remains committed to advancing food safety through market systems development, capacity building, sustainable agricultural practices, and partnerships that strengthen food systems. By supporting producers and enterprises to meet food safety standards, MESPT continues to contribute to safer food, stronger markets, improved livelihoods, and inclusive economic growth.