By Feni Hiveluah
The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that individuals and companies that are in breach of the envisaged Food Safety Bill would either face a fine or jail time, once it is passed by parliament.
For first offenders there is a N$150,000 fine or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both. Second time offenders would face a N$250,000 fine or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both, and continuing offenders would face a fine of N$20,000 per day or imprisonment for one month for each day on which the offence continues.
These was revealed at an ongoing consultantion workshop on the draft Bill by deputy director for public and environment in the ministry, Gabriel Joseph.
According to Joseph highligh the aim of the draft is to establish the Food Safety Council and the Panel of Ministers to ensure and promote food safety, sustainability and security in Namibia
The Bill will also provide for control during all processes relating to the food supply chain including import and export of food and to repeal the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Ordinance, 1979 and to provide for incidental matters.
The ministry’s, executive director in the ministry Penda Ithindi stated that it is a time when food safety systems across the world are facing increasingly complex and evolving challenges.
He added that emerging food safety threats such as the rise in foodborne diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate change impacts on food production, contamination from environmental pollutants, and others place greater pressure on national regulatory systems.
“In Namibia, we are not immune to these risks. Rapid urbanisation, changing consumption patterns, informal food trade, and increased importation of food products further heighten our vulnerability. These realities call for a modern, responsive, and risk-based legal framework that can effectively prevent, detect, and respond to such threats,” Ithindi said.
He added that the Food Safety Bill is not just a regulatory instrument, but a catalyst for change.
According to Ithindi, the Bill seeks to strengthen coordination among competent authorities, enhance surveillance and inspection systems, and promote science-based decisionmaking.
“It introduces a more integrated “farmtofork” approach, ensuring oversight across the entire food supply chain from production and processing to distribution, import, and export.
Importantly, he added, the Bill provides a platform to improve risk communication, enforce compliance, and build capacity among food handlers and institutions.”
