The food we consume is an essential ingredient for the upkeep of human survival, most importantly safe food.
As human beings we must do all we can to protect the food we eat. Even though we are not health experts, some diseases maybe caught by eating food that are not fit for human consumption.
Therefore, the two-day forum on food safety, animal and plant health inspectors' information, which is currently underway at the NaNA Conference Hall is indeed timely.
The forum, which kicked-off yesterday, is organised by the West African Quality Programme, in collaboration with the National Codex, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee.
The conference came at a time when there is a global fight against hunger, thus making it even more pertinent to us.
We must ensure that every food that we eat is up to standard in terms of hygiene and safety.
In his opening remarks, on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, the Permanent Secretary at the said Ministry, Mr. Amadou Saine described food safety and animal health as very important export products for The Gambia.
He noted that fish and fishery products are important export products for The Gambia, thus constituting a vital source of foreign exchange for the country.
Safe food is not only important but also serves as a foreign exchange earner for the country, according to PS Amadou Saine.
However, one key aspect of food safety is the issue of monitoring, for without proper monitoring such efforts would bear no fruition.
