Mycotoxin seminar 22/02/2018 in Harare, Zimbabwe

On Thursday 22 February 2018, MYTOX-SOUTH organized a food-safety workshop in Harare (The Rainbow Towers, Zimbabwe). The theme of the workshop was “Mycotoxins: the hidden threat to human health in Zimbabwe”. This workshop was funded by RANDOX Laboratories and the Ghent University Global Minds Fund.

MYTOX-SOUTH had an active participation in this one-day workshop by lectures of Dr. Sarah De Saeger, Dr. Loveness Nyanga & Dr. Marthe De Boevre. Furthermore, Dr. Melody Ndemera disseminated the results of her PhD in Ghent University entitled: “Human dietary exposure to mycotoxins in Zimbabwe and related risk assessment and management”. Invited speakers included Prof. Mashiri, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe; Mr. Dewah, Principal Director Academic Affairs of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary education, science and technology development; and Dr. Gadzikwa, Director General of the Standards Association of Zimbabwe. The Honorary Consul of Belgium in Zimbabwe, Mr. Jean Gonçalves supported the event through his presence. UGent representatives and speakers were Prof. Sarah De Saeger and Dr. Marthe De Boevre. In addition, the conference was highly mediatized through the presence of the Zimbabwean press. All Zimbabwean stakeholders (academia, industry, government) involved in agriculture and public health issues gathered at this unique event in Zimbabwe. The major objective was to advocate for a modification of the current legislation on mycotoxins in Zimbabwe, and to develop an appropriate risk management policy anchored on scientific evidence.