This Act, consisting of 84 articles and divided into fourteen Parts, provides for ensuring the safety and quality of food and feed in the country, in order to protect public health, and to promote fair trade practices. The Act covers the following matters: food, as any substance or product used as food or drink for human consumption; food additive; food business operator; feed business operator; food and feed safety plan; genetically modified organism; genetically modified food and feed; hazard; unsanitary conditions; national standards; novel food; precautionary principle; packaging and labelling; risk assessment and management; traceability. Part II of the Act concerns the establishment of Food and Feed Safety Authority, the appointment of its members. Part III concerns the definition of the functions of the Authority. Part IV provides for administrative provisions. Part V concerns financial provisions. Part VI defines principles of food safety, including: risk analysis, risk communication, protection of consumer interests, principle of transparency. Part VII focuses on food and feed trade requirements, requiring the registration of importers and exporters and food and feed business operators. Part VIII provides for food and feed safety requirements, including: protection of human and animal health; responsibility of food and feed business operators. Further Parts include: monitoring and certifications; inspection and auditing; enforcement of food and feed safety requirements; offences and penalties.
Sierra Leone · 2017-01-01