Ifakara Health Institute, represented by Social Scientist Dr. Sally Mtenga, took part in the National Consultative Meeting on Food Additives, convened by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) at their Ubungo Headquarters in Dar es Salaam on 1st and 2nd April 2026.

The two-day gathering brought together key stakeholders from ministries, research institutions, and industry to review Tanzania’s position ahead of the 56th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA), scheduled in Chongqing, China, from 13–17 April 2026.

On the first day, participants dived into discussions on matters referred by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, updates from FAO/WHO and the 100th Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) meeting, standards for baker’s yeast, specifications for identity and purity of food additives, and the alignment of additive provisions across commodity standards. Reports from Electronic Working Groups on the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) and proposed revisions sparked interactive discussions among experts.

The second day focused on refining class names and the international numbering system for food additives, reviewing updates to the JECFA priority list, developing working practices for GSFA provisions, and assessing safety guidelines for cell culture media components used in cell-based foods. The sessions were rich in technical exchange, allowing Tanzanian experts to shape national contributions while aligning with global standards.

The meeting concluded with a strong reaffirmation of Tanzania’s commitment to food safety. IHI is proud to have provided insights on the public health implications of food additives, highlighting the crucial link between scientific evidence and regulatory practice.

Stakeholders underscored the value of continued collaboration to ensure national regulations and Codex submissions remain evidence-based, up-to-date, and globally aligned.