Food safety priority, a critical gap and a window for effective food, nutrition security and sustainable development in Rwanda: A contextual analysis

Abstract

Food safety is globally an important issue and a priority for a sustainable food system and health and essential for achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 agenda. The present study aimed at identifying the critical gaps in the role of food safety in achieving agriculture, food and nutrition security along with the implementation of SDGs in Rwanda. The review of the Rwandan context showed that food safety was not considered and integrated within the development programs for agriculture, food and nutrition security. This lack of food safety integration affected the success of these programs and had a potential negative impact on the achievement of the ten SDGs, namely SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 6, SDG 8, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG13 and SDG 17. With available food safety opportunities in Rwanda, food safety should be a priority because it plays a critical role in implementing effective sustainable development programs. There is a need for food safety strategic integration by an evidence-based food safety decision-making approach through involving all concerned stakeholders.