Summary:

• UNBS mandates certification for edible insect dealers in Uganda to ensure product safety, emphasizing adherence to the “Edible Insects Standard” launched in 2022.

Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Uganda’s National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has mandated certification for dealers of edible insects like grasshoppers (Nsenene) and white ants (Enswa) to ensure the safety of their products. The directive, highlighted in a press statement on December 11, 2023, emphasizes the public’s responsibility to exercise caution when purchasing edible insects. UNBS stressed the need to report suspicions of substandard practices in harvesting, processing, packaging, and transportation.

Aligned with its mandate to uphold public health and safety, UNBS launched the “Edible Insects Standard, US 2146:2020 Edible Insects – Specification” in March 2022. Developed in collaboration with Makerere University and supported by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, the standard aims to facilitate the commercialization of edible insects while ensuring their safe consumption.

The standard outlines quality assurance measures, including testing for biological and chemical contaminants during harvesting, processing, packaging, and transportation. Specific requirements encompass freedom from adulterants, objectionable odors, infestation, and compliance with pesticide residue limits set by the CODEX Alimentarius Commission. UNBS urges Public Health Inspectors to monitor and prevent contamination during these processes.

Additional Reporting by Daily Monitor, Editing by Busiinge Aggrey