Can new food safety law stop Egypt's 'donkey slaughter mafia'?
Egypt is planning urgently needed legislation to protect its citizens’ food supply and prevent the spread of disease.
CAIRO — Egypt hopes to crack down on “food fraud” and prevent epidemics by strengthening its safety regulations — quickly.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has instructed authorities to form a committee to develop and pass a food safety law. Observers say the expedited order has rekindled hopes for a strong committee that monitors markets, enforces the law and prevents fraud. On Jan. 4, Sisi met with Abla Abdel-Latif, president of the Economic Development Board, and board member Mohsen Helmy to discuss several issues, including the committee.
The committee will be completely independent of all ministries and government parties, and will be directly linked to the president so it can perform its oversight role properly.
Hussein Mansour, head of the Egyptian Food Safety Authority — the unit tasked with forming the committee — talked about expectations for the committee.
