Food safety in Africa is an essential pillar for expansion into global markets

In addition to its role in consumer protection, the concept of food safety has become a standard that governs countries’ ability to compete in global food markets. After theinternational trade movement grewand the markets tightened their quality standards and conditions, adherence to specifications and standard quality and the application of the best sustainable practices in food production, manufacturing and trading became an essential element for enhancing confidence in national products - including the Egyptian product - and opening new horizons for exports.

Based on this role played by the concept of food safety, Dr.Khaled Sofi “President of the Egyptian General Organization for Standardization and Quality, and President of the International Organization for Standardization ISO,” emphasized that adherence to standard specifications - national and international - is the basis by which we guarantee food safety and enhance the reliability of food products in different markets.

This came during his participation in a discussion session held at the “FI Africa 2026 Exhibition”, which specializes in food manufacturing components, and the “ProPak MENA 2026 Exhibition”, which specializes in industrial processing and packaging technologies, the two exhibitions that were opened by Dr. Sherif Farouk, “Minister of Supply and Internal Trade,” and Engineer Khaled Hashem, “Minister of Industry.”

These two exhibitions are among the most important food manufacturing exhibitions in the Arab region and the African continent, and in them food manufacturing experts from the government and private sectors answer a fundamental question, which is: What is meant by food safety, and what is its role in enhancing the competition of the food manufacturing sector? This is in order to achieve a number of goals, including:

• Consumer health protection
• Enhancing importers’ confidence
• Unification of technical standards
• Raising the added value
• Supporting national exports
• Building a sustainable food system

The quality of food ingredients and their role in supporting exports

Food safety is a set of technical requirements that determine the characteristics of food products and their production and testing methods to ensure quality and safety. Hence, Dr. Khaled Sofi explained in his speech during the activities of the two exhibitions that were held between June 2 and 4, 2026, how the quality and safety of food ingredients have become one of the most prominent factors affecting the success of food products locally and internationally, especially in light of the rapid developments witnessed by the trade sector. Global, and increasing consumer interest in standards of quality, safety and sustainability.

In front of a large crowd led by major local and international companies operating in the food manufacturing sector, the head of the Egyptian General Authority for Standardization and Quality and the head of the International Organization for Standardization indicated that global markets have become more stringent in quality requirements. This has made the quality of food ingredients an essential element in accepting food products and enhancing their commercial opportunities, whether at the level of regional or international markets.

How do standards support food exports?

The Chairman of the Authority drew attention to the fact that the application of standard specifications contributes to the unification of technical requirements between different countries and markets, which reduces the technical and commercial obstacles that producers and exporters may face. These specifications also help facilitate international trade and increase opportunities for food products to enter new markets, thus supporting the growth of Egyptian food exports.

The role of the Egyptian General Organization for Standardization

Dr. Khaled Sofi confirmed that the Egyptian General Authority for Standardization and Quality plays a pivotal role in preparing and developing Egyptian standard specifications, in addition to supporting the application of quality management and food safety systems in accordance with international standards. This contributes to enhancing the competitiveness of the national industry and improving the quality of the products offered in the markets.

In this context, the head of the Egyptian General Authority for Standardization and Quality stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between regulatory bodies, standardization bodies, accredited laboratories, manufacturers and exporters, with the aim of building an integrated control system covering the various stages of supply chains. In order to maintain the safety of food products from the production stage until they reach the final consumer.

In conclusion, what you seeThe Earth Guards Foundation in these national efforts regarding specifications and quality in the food sector is that talking about food safety is part of a broader equation related to food security, sustainable development, and the competitiveness of national economies.

Hence, the “FI Africa” and “ProPak MENA” exhibitions are clear examples of this sustainable vision, the vision that pushes the food manufacturing sector in Egypt and Africa towards global markets that transform potential into real economic gains, supporting the well-being of current and future generations.