Congo Town – In commemoration of World Food Safety Day 2025, the newly minted Food Authority of Liberia (FAL) officially launched operations with a bold pledge from Director-General Precelia Cherue to strengthen food safety systems across the country.
Speaking under the national theme, “Using Science to Promote Safe Food Practices and Healthy Living,” Cherue emphasized the institution’s readiness to use science, collaboration, and innovation to safeguard public health.
The FAL, established under the Food and Food Quality and Safety Act of 2019, is tasked with coordinating multi-sectorial actors, enforcing food regulations, and aligning Liberia’s food policies with international standards such as the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030 and the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement.
“Today, as we celebrate World Food Safety Day, we are reminded that food safety is not guesswork—it is science. It is about evidence, research, and innovation,” Cherue stated during the ceremony. “With strong leadership and coordination, Liberia is on the path to building a science-based food control system that protects lives and supports trade.”
A Coordinated National Push
The launch, held in Congo Town on Friday, brought together key national and international stakeholders. The event served as both a celebration and a call to action, highlighting the deepening commitment to food safety in Liberia, especially in light of rising global health challenges, including pandemics, climate change, and economic uncertainty.
Cherue said the FAL is prioritizing laboratory capacity strengthening, training of inspectors and handlers, and promoting evidence-based reforms. She cited the EU-funded Liberia Food Safety Initiative (LiFSI)—implemented through UNIDO—as a vital pillar of support.
“Through UNIDO’s technical assistance, we are advancing laboratory accreditation, public-private partnerships, and digital licensing systems, all tailored to bolster our national food safety strategy,” she added.
Food Safety as a Human Right
Underscoring that safe food is not a privilege but a human right, Cherue called for collective national effort.
“Ensuring food safety is a shared responsibility. Farmers, vendors, regulators, policy makers, and consumers all have a role to play,” she said. “By embracing science, we are not just protecting health; we are building trust, safeguarding livelihoods, and empowering communities.”
According to the WHO, an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses occur globally every year, with 420,000 deaths—including 125,000 children under five. These statistics, Cherue emphasized, reinforce the urgent need for robust food safety frameworks.
Multi-Sectoral Support and Interventions
Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh-Howe, Assistant Minister for Preventive Services at the Ministry of Health, stressed the need for hygiene at all levels of food preparation and handling.
“Food safety goes beyond availability—it’s about quality and hygiene,” Jabbeh-Howe said. “We have to prevent illnesses before they begin. Whether it’s typhoid or listeria, poor handling is often the cause.”
She also pointed to the One Health platform, an inter-ministerial framework involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency, which is aimed at safeguarding food systems from farm to fork.
Surveillance and Scientific Response
Leahown Tokpah, Acting Deputy Director for Environmental and Occupational Health at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), applauded FAL’s initiative and outlined the role of NPHIL in the food safety ecosystem.
“NPHIL has established a robust foodborne disease detection and surveillance framework,” Tokpah said. “It integrates lab diagnostics and epidemiology with global systems like the World Health Platform, ensuring rapid detection and response to outbreaks.”
Tokpah emphasized the importance of the “One Health” approach, noting that food safety must involve both human and animal health experts, alongside environmental stakeholders.
Consumer Voices Weigh In
Representing consumer interests, Sayor Wahtoson, Chair of the Liberia Consumers Protection Association (LCPA), welcomed the establishment of the FAL and pledged support.
“As a body advocating for consumer rights, we see the Food Authority as a key partner. Together, we can ensure safer food and a better-informed public,” Wahtoson said.
A Way Forward
The launch of the FAL comes amid global calls for stronger food control systems in the wake of mounting public health threats. By centering science, regulation, and collaboration at the heart of its mandate, Liberia is taking a critical step toward meeting its development goals and protecting the health of its people.
“With unity, science, and a clear vision,” Cherue concluded, “we can build a future where every meal served in Liberia brings nourishment, dignity, and safety.”
