Where Is the Food and Nutrition Bill?
Over the past two decades, Malawi has seen five different presidents come and go. Yet, a critical piece of legislation—the Food and Nutrition Bill—remains untouched.
Despite promises of successive administrations, the Bill has languished in draft form since 2003, awaiting its moment in the National Assembly.
Parliament has described the trends as worrisome, saying the piece of legislation addresses vital areas such as education, maternal and child welfare and overall nutrition for Malawians.
In an interview this week Parliamentary Committee on Health chairperson Mathews Ngwale said: “We were told that the Bill is still with the Ministry of Justice and as a committee we are worried about the delays. We will do our part to push for its tabling and enactment.”
He added that the committee took over the roles of the dissolved Department of Nutrition and HIV and Aids which was under the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) and they are still waiting to be briefed on where the previous committee left off.
Ministry of Justice spokesperson Frank Namangale in an interview on Wednesday indicated that the Bill is not yet with the ministry.
In a brief WhatsApp response he said: ‘Government Bills go to Parliament when the government is ready to do so.”
But Oxfam Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa in an interview pointed out that the absence of the Food and Nutrition Bill is a big challenge, arguing that stunting levels remain alarmingly high at approximately 36 percent, with certain districts—such as Dedza and Mangochi—facing even greater challenges.
According to Mihowa, the Bill aims to comprehensively regulate the food and nutrition sector which currently lacks adequate oversight.
She said: “Good food and nutrition is very crucial for people, and plays an important role in human capital development.’’
Commenting on the issue, Jacob Phiri, officer for the Strengthening Rural Governance for the Right to Adequate Food (RtAF) project by the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) said the Bill tackles critical aspects such as fortifying food to ensure essential nutrients reach consumers.
He stressed that this measure can prevent excessive consumption of unhealthy junk food.
Phiri added that the Bill aims to curb deceptive practices related to food business such as the sale of unwholesome, poisonous, or adulterated food.
On average, 2.5 million Malawians face food shortages annually, according to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee reports.
The Department of Nutrition, HIV and Aids in 2014 drafted a bill whose other contents included establishment of a fund to advance “access to quality food and nutrition”.
