Technical assistance to support the harmonisation of food safety regulations in Malawi

07/14/2025

In a major step toward transforming Malawi's agri-food systems, 20 food inspectors from several provinces have completed a three-day Joint Food Safety Training in Lilongwe. The course was designed and administered by Food Safety experts Nicola Bonnefoy and Ruth Phiri, informed by consultations with ministries and agencies in Malawi, including the Ministry of Health, Malawi Bureau of Standards, and the Ministry of Agriculture. This was a key milestone under the Ireland-Malawi Agrifood Systems Programme (IMAGRI), developed by Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) and Sense to support food systems transformation.

The newly trained inspectors now possess enhanced technical skills in inspection protocols and risk-based- approaches aligned with international best practice. This strengthens the national food safety regime at a critical time, as Malawi seeks to boost nutrition, exports and support improved livelihoods. SFSI will support further efforts to harmonise food safety inspections over the next 4 years, thanks to the support of the Embassy of Ireland in Lilongwe.