The Gambian Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) has recognized that public criticism stems from a lack of awareness about its operations and responsibilities. Mamoudu Bah, the Director-General of the FSQA, believes this negative perception arises from misunderstandings about the Authority’s role. He stressed the need for improved communication with the media to raise awareness of FSQA’s activities and educate the public.

Bah emphasized that regaining public trust depends on the FSQA effectively fulfilling its responsibilities. He stated that the Authority has been diligently working to become an institution of excellence in food control, asserting their advanced status in this regard.

In 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) provided food testing laboratory equipment to the FSQA as part of an EU-funded project. However, challenges related to standards and consumables have hindered the full utilization of the equipment, with efforts underway to address these issues.

Bah clarified that while expired foods are a concern, their primary focus is removing spoiled products from store shelves. Consuming an expired food item may not necessarily pose immediate health risks, but it indicates that the food’s quality guarantee has expired.