Hukuntsi Leads Regional Training to Boost Food Safety Standards in Botswana

Hukuntsi Leads Regional Training to Boost Food Safety Standards in Botswana. In a proactive step to tackle hygiene challenges and food safety concerns, the Department of Environmental Health under Hukuntsi District Council has hosted a three-day capacity-building workshop for District Environmental Health Officers (DEHOs) from Hukuntsi, Gantsi, Tsabong, and Charles Hill.

The training, launched in response to recurring hygiene deficiencies found in several food outlets, focuses on strengthening risk-based food inspection practices. Officers are being equipped with tools and technical expertise to identify and mitigate potential food-related hazards before they pose a threat to public health.

Speaking at the official opening of the workshop, Hukuntsi District Deputy Council Secretary Ms. Baraedi Winnie Sento emphasized the importance of shifting from reactive enforcement to preventive interventions. “When consumers know that food safety is being prioritized and that high-risk businesses are being closely monitored, their confidence in the food supply increases,” she stated.

Sento urged health officers to adopt a more focused inspection model by intensifying surveillance on high-risk businesses, ensuring consistent safety standards across all districts.

Ms. Rosinah Dikgang, a Food Safety Officer from the Department of Public Health, Nutrition, and Food Control Division, outlined the objectives of the workshop. “We aim to enhance the implementation of the Food Control Act [CAP 65:05] and its regulations. This training is designed to help participants fully understand the principles of risk-based food inspection, conduct proper risk assessments, and develop targeted inspection plans.”

The initiative not only advances national food safety protocols but also sends a strong signal to entrepreneurs and food business operators: regulatory compliance and public trust go hand-in-hand in driving sustainable business success in Botswana’s growing food economy.