Mrs Boodhram-Bedacee Chreshma
Senior Technical Officer
Food Technology Laboratory
Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security
Mauritius
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Mauritius is a small island situated between
the south-eastern coast of Africa
Mauritius is a net importer of food, importing
mainly from France, South Africa, Australia
and India.
Some food industries do export.
The Mauritian consumer has become more
quality-conscious with the increase in the
standard of living that has occurred over the
last 2 decades.
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Population: 1.3 million (UN, 2013)
Capital and largest city: Port Louis
Area: 2,040 sq km (788 sq miles)
Major languages: English, French (both
official), Creole, Indian languages
Major religions: Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Monetary unit: Mauritian rupee (1$=Rs30)
Mission and Vision of the Ministry of
Agro Industry & Food Security
MISSION
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Towards further development of agriculture and
the promotion of agro industry focusing on safety,
supply, quality, innovation and new technology
through our service providing institutions and
with stakeholders of the region.
VISION
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To be a driver, catalyst and facilitator for operators
in
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agriculture,
fisheries
and
agro
business.
To spearhead the development of small and
medium sized commercial and professional agro
business sector.
VISION OF THE FOOD TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
Striving towards safe and quality foods through excellence in analysis
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Microbiological and Chemical analysis of
foods
(pesticide
residues,
heavy
metals,
toxins), animal feeds and water for our export
and import requirements.
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Provision
of
stakeholders
safety.
technical
regarding
assistance
food
to
quality
all
and
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To ensure the safety and quality of both
locally produced, exported and imported food
products.
techniques
To
develop
new
analytical
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Microbiological analysis for Sea Food Hub &
Fish Processing Plant
Monitoring of processing plants (HACCP)
Monitoring of pesticide residue in fruits and
vegetables
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Food Act 1998
Public Health Act
Trades and Industries Classification Act
Health and Safety Act
National food safety management
certification scheme by Mauritius Standards
Bureau
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It stipulates that “any person who imports,
prepares, supplies, distributes, or sells any
food which is poisonous, harmful or injurious
to health shall commit an offense.”
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Food control is centrally administered and
enforced by the Ministry of Health (MOH)
Local authorities participate in enforcement
activities to a limited extent only.
The Government Analyst Division and the
Central Laboratory deal with food analysis.
The Ministry of Agro Industry also carry out
analysis for aflatoxins
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The Mauritius Standards Bureau sets specifications
that should be satisfied by a particular food.
Two consumer organisations are known locally:
• Institute for Consumers’ Protection
• Association des Consommateurs de l’Ile Maurice
The local university (UOM) does carry out research in
the field of food control, but much of its work is not
publicised.
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A rather poor food-borne disease surveillance system
exists. This may probably arise from the fact that
there are no proper structures for reporting and
recording diseases though it is mandatory to do so.
Moreover, local authorities do not have the necessary
infrastructure to ensure disease recording and private
practitioners rarely report diseases to sanitary
authority.
There is also limited involvement of consumers and a
lack of co-ordination between the two consumer
organisations, leading to a waste in resources.
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The small number of inspectors specialised in
food control
The lack of resources, that is funding,
equipment for inspection and transport,
The inadequate level of training of inspectors
on certain aspects of food control such as
novel foods,HACCP
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Adoption of a national food control strategy
Amendment of the food law
Cooperation
and
coordination
among
different bodies in the system
Transparency and information flow on the
food control system
Intelligent participation in regional trade
agreements
THANK YOU