The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (MCAE) has called on the Autoridade de Inspeção e Fiscalização da Atividade Económica, Sanitária e Alimentar (AIFAESA) to strengthen its monitoring efforts to ensure imported food products meet safety standards to protect consumers’ health.
MCAE General Coordinator Jorge Martins said AIFAESA must play a crucial role in food inspections to guarantee the safety of imported food products.
“AIFAESA’s primary responsibility is to conduct inspections and monitor imported food products, as well as those produced locally and globally, to ensure that all food and pharmaceutical products are safe for consumers,” said Martins during a meeting at CCD Hall, in Caicoli, Dili.
He added that AIFAESA’s work is essential for Timor-Leste’s future participation in global trade, improving the quality of food products and contributing to economic growth.
He also highlighted that beyond food products, AIFAESA is responsible for monitoring imported medicines to ensure their safety and compliance with health standards.
Meanwhile, AIFAESA Inspector General, Dr. Odete da Silva Viegas, said the agency continuously monitors both imported and locally produced food to safeguard consumer health.
“We are actively conducting inspections to ensure the safety of imported and local food products. Our work is not limited to inspecting food within Timor-Leste but extends to imported products as well. Despite facing various challenges, our commitment to this responsibility remains strong,” said Dr. Odete.
She explained that food safety control is not solely AIFAESA’s responsibility but involves collaboration with various government ministries.
“In our work, we coordinate with inter-ministerial task forces to ensure comprehensive food safety monitoring,” she added.
Mario Sarmento, from the Faculty of Agriculture at UNTL, highlighted AIFAESA must not only inspect food quality but also ensure that food products are within their expiration dates.”AIFAESA is responsible for food safety inspections, but they must also check expiration dates. If expired products enter the market and are not checked, they may expire within a month, posing risks to consumers. Therefore, strict monitoring of expiration dates is crucial,” Sarmento emphasised.
