Abuja: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) standards management technical committee convened to review and validate revised regional standards for fortified foods. This includes iodized salt, fortified vegetable oils, and fortified wheat flour. The initiative, which is supported by UNICEF, aims to combat persistent malnutrition in West Africa.
According to African Press Organization, this technical session is part of implementing the Common Industrial Policy for West Africa (PICAO) and the Standards Harmonization Model (ECOSHAM). The goal is to enhance the regional framework concerning nutritional security by adopting standards that align with international guidelines and address the public health priorities of member states.
In addition to revising food standards, the committee approved the new composition of the bureaux for the sectoral technical committees THC2 (food products), THC4 (buildings and construction materials), THC8 (textiles and clothing), and THC9 (information and communication technologies), reflecting the withdrawal of certain AES countries.
This session of the technical management committee marks a significant step in the regional effort to ensure safe, fortified, and accessible food for all, amidst the growing challenges of malnutrition and food insecurity in West Africa.