AAU/IUFoST series of SRDs - Advancing Food Processing in Africa
Presenting science-based facts and providing food security solutions through Food Processing in Africa is the latest in the work plan delivered by The Association of African Universities (AAU) and the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST). The AAU and IUFoST continue their work together to strengthen Africa’s capacity to secure food for its citizens, in line with actualizing the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals and spurring the continent’s economic growth.
"Food Processing is often maligned these days and yet it stands between life and death for many in the African continent," said Prof. Charles Aworh, recipient of the World Food Prize Foundation 2024 Pioneer award and the chair/facilitator for the AAU/IUFoST Scientific Roundtable Discussion (SRD) held on 21 January.
“Scaling up traditional food processing technologies illustrates a key strategy for solving the challenges of food and nutritional security in Africa. it is not merely about increasing production, it is about improving livelihoods, enhancing nutrition and preserving cultural legacies. When approached strategically, scaling up enables traditional products to thrive in global markets, ensuring food security and economic development for future generations," - said Prof. Olusola Bandele Oyewole, the Secretary General of the AAU.
Taking research out of the lab and into the communities is part of the “First Mile Approach to building a resilient and competitive food processing sector in Africa, stated Fred Kongongo, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
‘Policy and regulatory Implications regarding Food Processing’ were addressed by IUFoST President, Professor Samuel Godefroy. "The topic of food classification systems has been reported widely in scientific journals and in the media. It has played a pivotal role in shaping food policies particularly food regulatory policies that support information to the public, and about diseases, many of which can be associated with food and diet. Food processing is a valuable intervention where we harness methods and techniques to transform raw food material to bring value to traditional foods to produce food that is safe and has a longer shelf life. Collaborations with AAU and Association of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), UNIDO and others are key to helping us inform regulatory frameworks and policy decisions and even in some cases taxation policy decisions. By providing a clear framework for assessing the health impact of a product, well designed and methodically sound fluid classification systems will help empower individuals to make informed dietary choices and will equip policymakers to implement effective and evidence-based regulations.”
This is of crucial importance to the African continent, where food processing is a critical factor in food safety and food security. The AAU and IUFoST are committed to driving the science behind advancing food processing in Africa.
To hear more about next steps, research, scaling up, delivery of innovation and informed policy advice, please partner with us as we begin to roll out the new initiatives.
IUFoST Inaugural Food First Strategy Symposium and 8th International Conference on Food Factors (ICoFF).
The Food First Strategy: Science and Roadmap revolved around addressing global health challenges in the post-pandemic era. Discussions centred on the intervention models, efficacy, and mechanisms of functional foods in regulating the human body. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary academic approach, the aim was to explore pioneering areas in functional food research, cultivate foundational principles and groundbreaking technologies for functional food development, innovate food processing methodologies, facilitate the establishment and enhancement of international standards for functional foods, foster collaboration among various disciplines including food, life sciences, and functional materials, and drive the high-quality transformation of global academic achievements.
Programme details are available here.
Next steps – Establishment of an IUFoST/Codex Food First Committee in second quarter 2025 with permanent headquarters.
Food Additives – Effective regulation through harmonization of standards in Africa - CCAfrica25 Event organised by East Africa Business Council (EABC) and IUFoST, 30 January in Kampala, Uganda
Food additives play a crucial role in modern food production, enhancing the safety, quality, and shelf-life of food products. However, the regulation of these additives varies significantly across countries, leading to potential trade barriers and safety concerns. In many CCAFRICA (FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa) Member States, food additives standards and regulations may not have been updated or constantly been amended, resulting in: • a maze of rules which industry and consumers find difficult to interpret and implement • Unharmonized regulations, limiting trade within Africa . The fast advancement in food technology and innovation, increase of trade within the region and consumer demand for safe food requires a pragmatic approach to update existing laws to protect consumers and facilitate intra-Africa trade. This event, Effective regulation through harmonization of Food additives standards in Africa, provides an opportunity for member states to discuss opportunities and key considerations for food additives standards harmonization in Africa.
Programme details: 30 January, 11:30 - 14:00 - Effective regulation through harmonization of Food additives standards in Africa: FAO/WHO Risk assessment approach as a sound basis for regulatory and policy decisions
IUFoST communications - Scientific Information Bulletins (SIBs) and videos, publications
IUFoST President, Professor Samuel Godefroy – end of year 2024 message:
to listen 
to read 
Coming soon:
- Latest Scientific Information Bulletin (SIB) from IUFoST – Use of Biotechnology to Develop Probiotics as Potential Functional Food
- Video recording of AAU/IUFoST SRD on Advancing Food Processing in Africa
- Publications around the IUFoST Task Force: Food Processing for Nutrition, Diet and Health and published summary of the AAU/IUFoST roundtable on Advancing Food Processing in Africa.
Dates to Remember:
February 11, 2025 - 10.00 Singapore time
Webinar: FIFSTA/IUFoST Scientific Roundtable around Food Processing and UPFs
February 13, 2025 - 13.00 CET
Webinar: EFFoST/IUFoST Scientific Roundtable on the Nutritional Aspects of Processed Foods (first in series of open dialogues).
Chile: April 9-11, 2025
ALACCTA congress
China, Beijing: April 22-25, 2025
CIFST/IUFoST Global Forum on Food Safety and Health
June 30 2025 - time tbc
Online Meeting - Reminder to Members: IUFoST Members Meeting - review IUFoST Strategic Plan through 2030 and member project outcomes
23rd IUNS - ICN 2025 World Congress organised by International Union of Nutritional Sciences, Sustainable Food for Global Health, being held in Paris, France from 24 - 29 August 2025.
For information: https://www.icn2025.org/. We look forward to seeing you there!
Opportunities to get involved with IUFoST
- Become a national scientific member
- Become an associate member
- Have international experts benchmark and recognise your academic programmes
- Join our working groups
Secretariat@iufost.org
Subject: Joining IUFoST
