Strengthening mycotoxin control in African fermented food systems: evidence from UP-RISE and the Accelerator Platform
16 April 2026
Mycotoxin exposure in African fermented food systems highlights a significant gap between formal safety standards and the practical realities of informal markets, which lack tailored regulatory frameworks and adequate infrastructure.
To address this, UP-RISE has generated structured country evidence, by linking research to regulatory debates and by piloting approaches that are more inclusive of informal value chains, further supported by the Accelerator Platform for sharing inclusive solutions and generating concrete recommendations for policy and practice.
Long-term effective mycotoxin control in African fermented food systems will depend on the ability of countries and regional bodies to apply these recommendations in a sustained manner. This includes continued investment in coordination, data, progressive regulatory approaches and communication in local languages, together with deliberate efforts to include women, youth and informal actors as partners.
By aligning these efforts within the African Union Food Safety Strategy, the continent can build a food safety system that protects public health, supports local livelihoods, and facilitates inclusive trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).