(Monrovia, Liberia, June 6, 2025) —The Assistant Minister for Prevention Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh Howe, has emphasized the urgent need for a national commitment to food hygiene, safety, and nutritional quality to reduce foodborne illnesses and combat malnutrition.
Dr. Howe made the call today during the official program marking the celebration of World Food Safety Day in Monrovia. She noted that food security must go beyond mere availability to include quality and safety. “It is not just about making food available, but ensuring that the food we provide is safe and hygienic,” Dr. Jabbeh stated. “We must be intentional in how we prepare and handle food because poor food practices directly contribute to illness and malnutrition.”
Dr. Howe further stressed that food safety is not the responsibility of a single institution, but a shared national obligation that requires collective engagement from all sectors and stakeholders. “If we don’t engage with others, we will continue to face challenges,” she warned. “Malnutrition remains a serious issue in Liberia, and addressing it requires coordinated action, especially around how our food is prepared, stored, and consumed.” The 2025 World Food Safety Day is being observed under the global theme, “Food Safety: Science in Action,” which highlights the essential role of science and innovation in improving global and local food systems.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Food Authority of Liberia (FAL), Madam Precelia Cherue, said the establishment and operationalization of the Authority in 2025 marks a strategic shift for Liberia toward evidence-based food safety practices. She emphasized that food safety should not be treated as speculation but as a scientific and systematic responsibility backed by research and cross-sector coordination. “Safe food is not a privilege; it is a human right,” Madam Cherue declared. “By embracing science in action, we are not only protecting public health but also empowering communities and preserving livelihoods.”
The event brought together a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, Liberia Standards Authority, National Public Health Institute of Liberia, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce, Civil Society, Development Partners, and the Private Sector. Activities included a poem, a drama performance, expert panels, and thematic presentations centered on this year’s theme.
The Food Authority of Liberia (FAL) was established under the Food and Feed Quality and Safety Act of 2019. It is mandated to enforce comprehensive food safety regulations, coordinate multi-sectoral actors, and align national policies with international standards such as the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030, Codex Alimentarius, and the WTO SPS Agreement.