Nam’s Poor Food Controls While Scientists Go Hungry

AS a qualified, unemployed food technologist, it pains me to see the risk our government is exposing the nation to because of poor control over food products.

The Chinese milk was only picked up because it was a global issue but if that milk was only sent to Namibia and no other countries, what could have happened? If you go around all the mini-markets scattered around this country (mostly northern part) one will find lots of food products but mostly snacks and most of them don’t even have labels in English. There is no way for you to read what is in that sweet or packet of chips because the label consists of characters one doesn’t understand.In food processing/production there are some food enhancers which are prohibited or have requirements in terms of limited quantities because of their effects on human health.How will we know that all the cheap foodstuffs on shelves in shops around are not produced with those prohibited ingredients? Most prohibited ingredients are cheaper compared to quality or approved ingredients or food enhancers.As most of these foodstuffs are eaten by kids one wonder what is in them, so I’m urging all parents to be aware of what their kids are consuming because it can be harmful to them in a long run.Food Scientists and technologists are on the street while the government is not doing anything to create jobs for them and protect its nation.The government can put up strict measures to control and monitor imports of foodstuffs into the country by opening food testing labs, inspections and controlling bodies.To ensure that no foodstuffs will be allowed on Namibian shelves unless it has been issued with a standard certificate and the label is in English.Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry there are qualified young Namibians who can do the job and implement such testing centres at all borders and ports.Most of us are unemployed and it hurts us that our nation is being fed junk while we have the knowledge to help and utilise them.We don’t even know what is happening at NSI because in my opinion it is supposed to have centres all over the country to deal with and handle these issues.I call upon the Minister to help us use and utilise the knowledge we have before we immigrate to other countries.I always read in newspapers that Namibia lacks capabilities in the field of science but its not true; opportunities are not there for us to utilise our skills.I’m willing to give the Minister a list of young Namibian scientists who are currently unemployed or employed in other fields to help make ends meet.Unemployed Scientist Oshakati Note: Name and address provided – EdThere is no way for you to read what is in that sweet or packet of chips because the label consists of characters one doesn’t understand.In food processing/production there are some food enhancers which are prohibited or have requirements in terms of limited quantities because of their effects on human health.How will we know that all the cheap foodstuffs on shelves in shops around are not produced with those prohibited ingredients? Most prohibited ingredients are cheaper compared to quality or approved ingredients or food enhancers.As most of these foodstuffs are eaten by kids one wonder what is in them, so I’m urging all parents to be aware of what their kids are consuming because it can be harmful to them in a long run.Food Scientists and technologists are on the street while the government is not doing anything to create jobs for them and protect its nation.The government can put up strict measures to control and monitor imports of foodstuffs into the country by opening food testing labs, inspections and controlling bodies.To ensure that no foodstuffs will be allowed on Namibian shelves unless it has been issued with a standard certificate and the label is in English.Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry there are qualified young Namibians who can do the job and implement such testing centres at all borders and ports.Most of us are unemployed and it hurts us that our nation is being fed junk while we have the knowledge to help and utilise them.We don’t even know what is happening at NSI because in my opinion it is supposed to have centres all over the country to deal with and handle these issues.I call upon the Minister to help us use and utilise the knowledge we have before we immigrate to other countries.I always read in newspapers that Namibia lacks capabilities in the field of science but its not true; opportunities are not there for us to utilise our skills.I’m willing to give the Minister a list of young Namibian scientists who are currently unemployed or employed in other fields to help make ends meet.Unemployed Scientist Oshakati Note: Name and address provided – Ed