Tanzania Bureau of Standards defends food aid from US

Dar es Salaam. In a statement that contradicts concerns raised by the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has come to the defence of food aid handed out by the United States.

In a public statement, TBS stated that rice, cooking oil, and beans fortified with nutrients provided by the US Department of Agriculture in collaboration with Global Communities for some schools in Dodoma are all safe for consumption.

TBS mentioned that proper procedures for importing food into the country were followed, including inspection and laboratory testing.

TBS Marketing and Public Relations Manager Gladness Kaseka said, "The process of food fortification is scientifically acceptable and is done to improve the nutritional status of consumers."

A few days ago, while claiming that Tanzania has enough food reserves, Bashe urged the American institution to buy food from Tanzanian farmers and add nutrients locally, allowing Tanzanians to witness the process.

"We told the NGO to tell the Americans that we have rice and beans in this country, and the money they use to give American farmers, they should give it to Tanzanian farmers. Let's buy rice and beans from Tanzania, and then let the nutrients they want to add be added here in Tanzania for us to witness the entire process," said Bashe, emphasizing that he has informed the NGO that Tanzania is self-sufficient in food.

But the concerns went beyond the mere act of food aid. A particular issue stood out: the fortification of food.

The US Embassy stated that the rice and other food items imported as aid into the country were fortified.

"Under the 'Pamoja Tuwalishe' initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with Global Communities, has delivered the first donation of high-quality fortified rice, pinto beans, and sunflower seed oil from American farmers directly to schools in Tanzania’s Dodoma region. Beyond providing nutritious meals, students at the over 300 participating schools will also start school gardens and learn rainwater harvesting techniques. A fully replicable model, this program reflects the U.S. commitment to fostering health, education, and opportunity for children across the globe," the Embassy wrote.

It was this statement that raised concerns, leading to a protracted online debate.

However, research and opinions from health experts show that food fortification is common and, at times, highly recommended.

For instance, the World Health Orgnaisation (WHO) says that the fortification of rice with vitamin A may be used as a public health strategy to improve the iron status and vitamin A nutrition of populations.

This WHO view, put in local context, shows that Tanzania is in need of fortified food owing to the high rate of stunting and underweight children in some regions. According to the latest Tanzania Nutrition Survey, 32 percent of children under 5 years old in Tanzania suffer from chronic malnutrition (stunting or low height-for-age), and 14 percent of children under five years old are underweight.

The food aid project led by Global Communities, called Pamoja Tuwalishe (together, let’s feed them), is a collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The project aims to support inclusive school feeding programs in the Mara and Dodoma regions of Tanzania and to assist in implementing the Tanzanian government's new National School Feeding Guidelines.

Through the Pamoja Tuwalishe project, Global Communities plans to provide a total of 3,830 metric tonnes of U.S.-donated commodities, including rice, beans, and vegetable oil. Additionally, USDA-provided funds will be used to procure 1,565 metric tonnes of locally grown maize, beans, and sunflower oil. These food items will be distributed to schools in nine districts across Mara and Dodoma, benefiting over 300,000 pre-primary and primary students in 351 schools.

The project is part of the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program, which Global Communities has been implementing in Tanzania since 2010 with funding from the USDA. This initiative is currently in its fourth phase and aims to improve food security and nutrition among school-aged children while promoting education and school attendance through nutritious school meals.