Browsing by Author "Asukenie, Ndinhesya"

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    Consumer protection in Tanzania under free market system: the case of food
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2007) Asukenie, Ndinhesya
    Food consumer protection is an important area which touches upon all people-both rich and poor. With current liberalized market, ensuring quality and safety of food both locally and imported is important for the well-being of the people. The current study offers some general insights on how adequately the health and well-being of food consumers in Tanzania is protected against hazards related to poor quality food sold in the market. The purpose of this research work was to analyse and examine the effectiveness of rules and regulations that protect food consumers against poor quality foods in the context of free market. The study involved 70 Food law enforcers, food processors, food suppliers and ultimate food consumers. The data collection methods comprised of questionnaire items. Interviews, observation, Focus Group Discussion and documentary review. The data were subjected to frequency and content analysis technique. The result showed that in Tanzania the rules and regulations for protecting food consumer against poor quality foods are not effective enough. The inspection services of food in the market seemed to be characterized by staffs' inadequate capacity and lack of adequate number of staff, poor facilities, lack of incentives to staff, overlapping authorities among the related institutions, lack of resources including funds to carry out protective activities to mention but a few. As a matter of fact, the food consumer protection infrastructure is absolutely fragmented due to absence of National Food Policy to put protection activities under one umbrella. The study makes suggestions to the government on adequate training to staff, formulation of National Food Policy that will guide sound consumer protection in Tanzania. NGOs. Should initiate food consumer watchdog and consumer advocacy. Lastly the call is made to the government to empower food consumers to demand their rights on issues related to food quality.