Staff Writer
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has called for stronger food safety regulations, fair pricing and increased investment in sustainable agriculture to ensure consumers have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food.
In a statement marking World Food Day on 16 October 2026, CCZ said food security should not only be measured by the availability of food but also by its affordability, quality, safety, nutritional value and accessibility.
Commemorated under the theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” this year’s World Food Day highlights the importance of innovation, traditional knowledge and inclusive approaches in transforming food systems.
CCZ said the rising cost of living was placing pressure on household budgets and affecting families’ ability to maintain balanced and nutritious diets.
“When food prices rise beyond the reach of ordinary households, families may be forced to reduce meal sizes, compromise dietary diversity or substitute nutritious foods with cheaper alternatives that may not adequately meet their nutritional needs,” the council said.
The consumer protection body urged authorities, producers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers to promote fair and transparent pricing, responsible trading practices and efficient supply chains.
It also called for consumers to receive accurate information on food prices, quantities, ingredients, nutritional content and expiry dates to help them make informed purchasing decisions.
CCZ encouraged households to compare prices, plan food purchases, minimise waste and explore affordable, locally available and nutritious food options.
On food safety, the council warned that contaminated, adulterated, expired or improperly stored food posed risks to public health and undermined confidence in the food supply chain.
“Access to food must never come at the expense of consumer health,” CCZ said.
The organisation called on food producers, processors, transporters and retailers to ensure that food remained safe throughout production, storage, transportation and sale.
It also urged regulatory authorities to strengthen food safety monitoring, inspections, consumer education and enforcement of applicable standards.
Consumers were encouraged to check product labels, manufacturing and expiry dates, packaging integrity and storage conditions before purchasing food.
CCZ further called on consumers to report suspected unsafe food, misleading labelling and other questionable trading practices to the relevant authorities.
The council said consumer awareness should be supported by effective regulation and accountability throughout the food value chain.
On sustainable food systems, CCZ urged Zimbabwe to embrace practical innovations that improve food production, preservation, distribution and access while incorporating indigenous knowledge and local experiences.
It highlighted the nutritional and economic value of indigenous foods such as millet, sorghum, rapoko, cowpeas and indigenous vegetables, saying these could promote dietary diversity while creating opportunities for smallholder farmers and local businesses.
The organisation also encouraged households and communities to adopt sustainable practices such as backyard gardening, seed saving, food preservation and reducing post-harvest losses.
“Innovation need not always involve expensive technology. Improved storage methods, better access to market information, community-based food initiatives and the application of traditional knowledge can make meaningful contributions to food security and household welfare,” CCZ said.
However, the council warned that climate change, water scarcity, land degradation and unpredictable weather patterns continued to threaten agricultural production and food availability.
It called for increased investment in climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable water use and environmentally responsible food production.
CCZ also urged stakeholders to strengthen food quality assurance, promote transparent pricing, improve food labelling, support local food production and reduce food losses through better storage, transportation and handling.
The council said collaboration across the food value chain was necessary to ensure that food safety, affordability and sustainability became shared responsibilities.
It urged consumers to take an active role in protecting their health by reading food labels, checking expiry dates, handling and storing food safely, avoiding unnecessary waste and supporting responsible local food producers.
Consumers were also encouraged to speak out against unfair trading practices, report suspected unsafe food and seek redress when their rights were violated.
“Every consumer deserves access to safe, affordable and nutritious food,” CCZ said, adding that achieving this required innovation that responded to local realities, responsible business conduct, effective regulation and informed consumer choices.
The council said World Food Day should serve as an opportunity to move beyond awareness and commit to practical action that protects public health, supports livelihoods and preserves natural resources for future generations.
“Let us embrace solutions that protect consumers today while safeguarding the food security of generations to come,” CCZ said.