Food Safety Governance in Egypt: Developments and Challenges
Before the establishment of the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) in 2017, Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and its affiliated agencies played a central role in the national food control system. Food safety laws and regulations were enforced through multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), and the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade. The MOHP, in particular, was responsible for implementing key legislation, including Law No. 281/1994 and Law No. 10/1966. Additionally, several ministerial decrees—particularly those concerning food additives—were issued under the authority of the MOHP. During this period, food safety became a matter of growing public concern and a top policy priority for the Egyptian government.
The adoption of Law No. 1/2017, establishing the National Food Safety Authority, marked a major institutional reform in Egypt’s food control system. While the NFSA holds overarching responsibility for enforcing national food safety legislation, it initially delegated certain operational functions to other agencies—most notably the Department of Food Safety and Control within the MOHP—to ensure comprehensive regulatory coverage and effective coordination during the transition phase.

Prior to 2017, Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and its affiliated agencies played a central role in the national food control system. Food safety laws and regulations were enforced by multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), and the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade. The MOHP was primarily responsible for implementing Laws No. 10/1966 and No. 281/1994 and issuing several ministerial decrees—particularly those governing food additives. During this period, food safety became a matter of growing public concern and a top policy priority for the Egyptian government.
Over time, food safety became a growing public concern and a top priority for policymakers. This culminated in the enactment of Law No. 1 of 2017, which established the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) - a critical step toward reforming and modernizing Egypt’s food safety infrastructure. The establishment of the NFSA signaled a shift toward a centralized, science-based, and risk-oriented food control system. Key objectives included strengthening food inspection systems, enhancing the analytical capacity of laboratories, and adopting internationally recognized risk analysis methodologies.
According to Law No. 1, the NFSA’s jurisdiction begins after the point of harvest, in alignment with international standards such as those outlined by the Codex Alimentarius. On-farm food safety activities, including the production and handling of crops and livestock prior to harvest, remain under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture. Although the NFSA is legally designated to oversee slaughterhouses, in practice, these facilities are still managed by other authorities, often lacking standardized oversight and requiring significant institutional and technical upgrades.
While the NFSA retains primary responsibility for enforcing national food safety legislation, it may delegate certain operational functions to other agencies—most notably the Department of Food Safety and Control within the MOHP—to ensure comprehensive regulatory coverage and effective coordination.
By January 2026, the NFSA is expected to assume full control of all delegated functions, with the MOHP withdrawing from its temporary mandates. This phased integration aims to create a unified, modernized, and risk-based food safety governance framework that enhances responsiveness, efficiency, and accountability across the entire system.

The NFSA's responsibility for food is defined based on the definition of food outlined in Law 1, which aligns with the Codex Alimentarius definition. While the NFSA is primarily responsible for the enforcement of national food legislation, they can delegate authority to the Department of Food Safety and Control under the Ministry of Health and Population to ensure adequate coverage. This collaborative administration ensures effective supervision, control, and timely follow-up actions.

Despite notable progress, a number of challenges persist in implementing an effective and streamlined food safety system:
1. Overlapping Responsibilities: Egypt has addressed many previous overlaps by formally assigning pre-harvest responsibilities to the Ministry of Agriculture and post-harvest responsibilities to the NFSA.
2. Conflicts in Authority: The passage of Law No. 92 of 2018 has introduced new complexities by assigning food safety responsibilities to entities lacking technical specialization, such as the New Urban Communities Authority (under the Ministry of Housing) and various local government bodies.
3. Limited Technical Expertise: These newly designated authorities often lack the scientific and regulatory capacity required for effective food safety oversight, which undermines system coherence and regulatory effectiveness.
4. Slaughterhouse Oversight Gaps: Although legally under NFSA’s domain, slaughterhouses remain fragmented in their administration, necessitating urgent reforms and investment to bring them in line with national and international food safety standards.

Challenges of the Informal Sector in Food Safety Governance
Although Egypt possesses a formal legal and institutional framework for food safety, its effective implementation within the informal sector remains significantly constrained. Key barriers include weak governance, insufficient resources, and limited technical capacity among informal food vendors. Institutional oversight is fragmented, with multiple government bodies operating independently and often without clear coordination or jurisdictional clarity. The absence of policies tailored to the specific needs and realities of informal actors further exacerbates food safety risks, including contamination, unhygienic practices, and increased exposure to foodborne diseases.
A range of structural and operational challenges continue to hinder food safety management in the informal sector:
1. Lack of Infrastructure: Informal food businesses often operate without access to basic infrastructure such as potable water, sanitation facilities, proper waste disposal, refrigeration, or reliable electricity. Furthermore, the absence of formal structures and record-keeping systems complicates efforts to monitor compliance or trace the source of foodborne illnesses.
2. Limited and Reactive Inspection: Regulatory inspections in the informal sector are infrequent and generally reactive, conducted only in response to food safety complaints or reported incidents. Routine or preventive inspections are rare, largely due to resource constraints and a lack of clear inspection mandates.
3. High Degree of Informality: The informal sector lacks an adequate framework for business registration, licensing, and compliance, which facilitates the proliferation of unregulated producers and vendors. This informality presents a significant challenge for food safety authorities attempting to enforce national standards and ensure consistent oversight.
4. Inadequate Training and Education: Most informal market participants have minimal or no formal training in food safety principles. As a result, there is limited awareness or understanding of safe handling, hygiene, and storage practices. The absence of targeted training programs contributes to persistent non-compliance and unsafe food practices across the sector.
5. Economic Constraints: Compliance with food safety regulations often requires financial investment—in equipment, infrastructure, and certification processes. For small-scale and informal vendors operating on thin profit margins, these costs are frequently prohibitive, leading to resistance or complete disengagement from formal regulatory processes.
6. Cultural and Social Barriers: Traditional practices and local customs, while deeply rooted, may conflict with modern food safety standards. Encouraging behavioral change and adoption of improved food handling practices requires culturally sensitive awareness campaigns and persistent engagement—an effort made more difficult by the informal sector’s scale and diversity.
7. Systemic Inefficiencies: Many regulatory agencies responsible for food safety suffer from inefficiencies, including bureaucratic delays, poor inter-agency communication, and limited enforcement capabilities. These systemic challenges undermine efforts to establish trust and compliance among informal actors.
In light of these challenges, there is an increasing emphasis on stakeholder sensitization and capacity-building initiatives. Targeted training programs, community engagement strategies, and incentive-based compliance models could serve as entry points for integrating informal sector actors into a more inclusive and effective food safety governance framework.
* Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt – Article 79: Guarantees every citizen the right to safe food and clean water. It obliges the state to ensure food sovereignty and the preservation of agricultural biodiversity.
* Law No. 1 of 2017 (Establishment of the National Food Safety Authority – NFSA): Establishes the NFSA as the principal authority responsible for food control and safety in Egypt. The Authority is empowered to develop and enforce food safety policies and has issued several mandatory technical regulations, including the establishment of Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for critical food contaminants.
* Ministerial Decree No. 1018 of 2013 (Regulation of Pesticide Registration, Handling, and Use): Outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Pesticides Committee, including the evaluation and approval of pesticide registration applications and certification of pesticides deemed safe for use in agricultural production.
* NFSA Regulatory Decree No. 2 of 2019 (Technical Requirements for Mobile Food Units): Specifies the food safety and hygiene requirements for mobile food vendors, including standards for structural conditions, worker hygiene, licensing protocols, and traceability systems. It also includes:
• Rules for applying food safety requirements in food establishments.
• Control mechanisms for tourist and hotel food service operations.
• Licensing procedures for food handlers in hospitality settings.
• Traceability requirements across the food chain.
* NFSA Export Food Strategy Mechanism (Regulatory Decrees):
• Decree No. 3 of 2019: Establishes procedures for the inspection and oversight of food certification companies handling exported consignments.
•Decree No. 1 of 2020: Introduces mandatory standards for issuing food export suitability certificates.
• Decree No. 15 of 2020: Provides exemptions for “white-listed” factories from certain labeling requirements on exported food products.
* Decree No. 2613/1994 (Shelf Life Regulation): Defines the maximum shelf life of food products, i.e., the period during which products maintain their essential qualities and remain safe for consumption, provided appropriate packaging, transportation, and storage conditions are observed.
* Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt – Article 79: Guarantees citizens' right to safe food and water; commits state to food sovereignty and agricultural biodiversity.
* Law No. 1 of 2017: Establishes National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) as primary food control body. NFSA has issued several mandatory technical regulations to establish Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for key food contaminants.
* Ministerial Decree No. 1018 of 2013 on the Registration, Handling and Use of Pesticides: This decree defines the roles and powers of the Pesticides Committee, which are to review applications for pesticide registration and certify those that are suitable.
* Regulatory Establishments No. 2 of 2019: Establishes the technical requirements for mobile food units such as Decrees on Rules for applying food safety requirements in food establishments; Control system for tourist establishments; Licensing food handling in tourist and hotel establishments; and Requirements for food traceability.
* Export Food Strategy Mechanism Standards (3 Decrees):
• Decree No. 3 of 2019: Inspection and review procedures for certification companies for exported food consignments.
• Decree No. 1 of 2020: Mandatory rules for issuing export suitability certificates.
• Decree No. 15 of 2020: Exemption for white-listed factories from labelling certain data on exported food shipments.
* Decree No. 2613/1994 on the shelf life of products: This decree establishes a maximum shelf life for products, defined as the period during which the product retains its basic characteristics and remains edible and marketable under the defined packaging, transport and storage conditions.

Arab Republic of Egypt
Source: https://www.presidency.eg/ar/%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1/%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/

Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of Africa, with an Asian extension represented by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea, to the south by Sudan, to the east by the Red Sea, and to the west by Libya
Source: https://www.presidency.eg/ar/%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1/%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/

Egypt was 995,450 as of 2021, covers an area of approximately 1,002,000 square kilometers, with an inhabited area of about 78,990 square kilometers, representing 7.8% of the total area
Source: https://www.presidency.eg/ar/%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1/%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/

Total population and demographic distribution: 107,576,056
Source: CAPMAS / Central Agency for Public Mobilization & Statistics

The number of registered livestock, poultry farms in the country, categorized by type (e.g., cattle, poultry, beekeeping: 8825293 heads of livestock in 2022
Source: CAPMAS / Central Agency for Public Mobilization & Statistics

290,000 feddans in 2022
Source: CAPMAS / Central Agency for Public Mobilization & Statistics

The total area of land used for agricultural activities, including cultivated land and grazing lands: 9.8 Millions feddans in 2022/2024
Source: CAPMAS / Central Agency for Public Mobilization & Statistics

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Phytosanitary Regulations (pre-harvest) (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for issuing legislation related to plant health protection, pest control, and disease prevention in agricultural production): Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (CAPQ).
Source: https://site.capq.gov.eg/Home/HomePage/Index

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Phytosanitary Control or inspection (pre-harvest) (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for implementing and enforcing phytosanitary measures, including facility inspections, quarantine enforcement, and pest control verification): Central Administration for Pest Control / Agricultural Pesticides Committee (APC).
Source: http://www.apc.gov.eg/Ar/

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Sanitary Regulations (post-harvest) (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for issuing legislation related to food safety, hygiene, and the prevention of zoonotic diseases): National Food Safety Authority (NFSA)
Source: https://www.nfsa.gov.eg/

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Sanitary Control or inspection (post-harvest) (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and enforcing sanitary measures in food production, processing, and distribution facilities): National Food Safety Authority (NFSA)
Source: https://www.nfsa.gov.eg/

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Ante-Mortem Animal Health Regulation (Pre-slaughter) (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for issuing legislation related to the health and welfare of animals before slaughter): General Organization for Veterinary Services (GAVS)
Source:

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Ante-Mortem Control or Inspection and Enforcement (Pre-slaughter) (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for conducting and enforcing ante-mortem inspections to ensure animal health and compliance with welfare standards before slaughter): General Organization for Veterinary Services (GAVS)
Source: https://www.govs.gov.eg/frontend/ar/

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Post-Mortem Meat Safety Regulation (After-slaughter) (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for issuing legislation related to meat safety, hygiene, and contamination control after slaughter): National Food Safety Authority (NFSA)
Source: https://www.nfsa.gov.eg/

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Post-Mortem Control or inspection and Oversight (After-slaughter) (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for monitoring and enforcing post-mortem meat inspections to ensure food safety, hygiene, and disease control in slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities):
*The General Organization for Veterinary Services (GAVS) is responsible for conducting post-mortem inspections in slaughterhouses to ensure meat safety and detect zoonotic diseases
Source: https://www.govs.gov.eg/frontend/ar/
*Food Safety Authority (NFSA) is responsible for regulating meat safety standards, ensuring hygiene in processing facilities, and overseeing the distribution of meat products to ensure public health protection
Source: https://www.nfsa.gov.eg/

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Pre-Harvest Aquatic Animal Health Regulation (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for issuing legislation related to the health and welfare of farmed and wild aquatic animals before harvest): General Organization for Veterinary Services (GAVS)
Source: https://www.govs.gov.eg/frontend/ar/

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Pre-Harvest Aquatic Animal Health Control or Inspection and Oversight (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for monitoring and enforcing pre-harvest health inspections, disease prevention measures, and aquaculture biosecurity standards): None

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Post-Harvest Fish Safety Control or Inspection and Oversight (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for for monitoring and enforcing fish and seafood safety, hygiene, and contamination control after harvest): National Food Safety Authority (NFSA)
Source: https://www.nfsa.gov.eg/

Competent Authority or Administration Responsible for Post-Harvest Fish Safety Control or Inspection and Oversight (The regulatory authority or government body responsible for for monitoring and enforcing fish and seafood safety, hygiene, and contamination control after harvest): National Food Safety Authority (NFSA)
Source: https://www.nfsa.gov.eg/

The number of third-party agencies and certification bodies involved in food safety: 433
Source: https://egac.gov.eg/en/accredited-cabs/

The total number of food establishments in the country, categorized by type (e.g., farms, food processing plants, restaurants, retail stores): 75,552 food factories and the number of farms is unknown
Source: CAPMAS / Central Agency for Public Mobilization & Statistics

The government body or private organizations responsible for issuing national food quality standards and specifications: Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS)
Source: https://eos.org.eg

The total volume of food exports and imports in the country, categorized by type and value:
Value of Imports : 694,997,166 L.E
Volume of Imports:62171605 Ton
Value of Exports: 245,793,292 L.E
Volume of Exports:15,652,815 Ton
Source: https://www.capmas.gov.eg/Pages/Publications.aspx?page_id=5104&Year=23524

Recognition of Exporting Countries’ Food Control Systems (Verification of equivalence and recognition procedures applied to exporting countries’ competent authorities in the context of imported food control)
Source: Decision of the Board of Directors No. (10) of the Year 2021, On the Provisions for Recognition of the Control System Applied by the Exporting Country Competent Authorities in the Context of Imported Food Control. National Food Safety Authority, The Official Gazette (Al-Waqae Al-Misriyya) – – Issue No.285 (supplement (A)) on December 19, 2021
Decisions, Decision of Board of Directors No. 9 of the Year 2021, On the Handling of the Imported Food Consignments Subject to Temporary Release, National Food Safety Authority, The Supplement of the Egyptian Official Gazette (Al-Waqae Al-Misriyya) – Issue No. 285 )Supplement( (a) on December 19, 2021"

The key food products considered strategic for national food security and economic stability, including major agricultural products and stored reserves: wheat

Alignment with Codex Alimentarius, WTO-SPS, ISO, and other global frameworks: Egypt is a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, The National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) participates actively in Codex meetings and implements Codex-based risk analysis and hazard control systems. Egypt has been a member of WTO since 30 June 1995 and a member of GATT since 9 May 1970.
Source: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/about-codex/members/detail/en/c/15702/
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/egypt_e.htm

Number, locations, and accreditation status of laboratories responsible for food safety testing: 43 Accredited Laboratory - No References laboratory exixts ; No legislation has been issued for Sampling
Source: https://egac.gov.eg/en/accredited-cabs/

Public / Private Initiatives & Regulations

Degree of Compliant : Partially Compliant
Heavy Metal Accumulation: Implementation of periodic soil testing programs and controlled fertilizer application.
Legal reference: Decision No. 17 of 2022 sets maximum residue limits (MRLs) for heavy metals in food products

Degree of Compliant : Partially Compliant
Excessive Pesticide Use: Enforcement of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems to regulate pesticide application.
Legal reference: Decision No. 6 of 2025 establishing the technical regulation on the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides in food

Degree of Compliant : Partially Compliant
Microbiological Contamination: Regular microbiological screening, enforcement of hygienic irrigation protocols, and mandatory training for farm workers.
Legal reference: The National Food Safety Authority's Decision No. 1 of 2021 mandates regular microbiological

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
* Continuous monitoring of physical, chemical, and microbiological contaminants along the post-harvest supply chain.
Legal reference: "According to Decision of the Board of Directors No. (1) Of the Year 2021 On the Binding Technical Rules on Microbiological Criteria for Foodstuffs, National Food Safety Authority. The Supplement of the Egyptian Official Gazette (Al-Waqae Al-Misriyah) – Issue No. 75 (Supplement (A)) on March 31, 2021, Decree No. 11 of 2020 concerning the rules for applying food safety requirements in food establishments".

*Verification of compliance with technical regulations governing the registration, labeling, and handling of Foods for Special Dietary Uses (FSDU), including infant formulas, medical foods, and dietetic products to ensure consumer safety and nutritional adequacy.
Legal reference: Decision of the Board of Directors No.1 of the Year 2018 On the Rules Governing the Registration and Handling of Foods for Special Dietary Uses. National Food Safety Authority, The Supplement of the Egyptian Official Gazette (Al-Waqae Al-Misriyya) - Issue No. 185 (Supplement) on August 15, 2018.

* Implementation of traceability systems to track food movement from farm to consumer.
Legal reference: "According to Decree No. 16 of 2022 concerning food traceability requirements."

* Establishment of intervention and response protocols for food contamination incidents.
Legal reference: "Compliant According to Decree No. 11 of 2020 concerning the rules for applying food safety requirements in food establishments".

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Ensuring laboratories meet international accreditation standards (e.g., ISO 17025).
Legal reference: AHRI and QCAP, comply with international accreditation standards such as ISO 17025 to ensure the reliability and quality of analytical results.

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Availability of accredited laboratories performing comprehensive safety tests for biological hazards (pathogenic bacteria, mycotoxins), pesticide residues, and heavy metals.
Legal reference: According to the Authority's decree,testing is only permitted through accredited laboratories.

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Authority Responsible – Body regulating food distribution and retail food safety: Implemented by National Food Safety Authorities

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Verification of Technical Regulations on food traceability, shelf-life determination, and contamination risks during distribution
Legal reference: " According to Decree No. 16 of 2022 concerning food traceability requirements which it is implemented By NFSA".

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Legal reference: Decision of the Board of Directors, No. (4) of the Year 2022 , On The Regulation of Food Handling License Issuance to Warehouses National Food Safety Authority, The Supplement of the Egyptian Official Gazette (Al-Waqae Al-Misriyya) - Issue 66 (Supplement) on March 20, 2022.

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Existance of sanitary conditions in grocery stores, supermarkets, street vendors, and food carts.
Legal reference: Decision No. 4/2020 was issued by the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) of Egypt, establishing the General Requirements for Food Hygiene applicable to all food retail and handling establishments, including grocery stores, supermarkets, street vendors, and food carts.

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Legal reference: National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) Decision No. 2/2020, concerning the requirements for the registration and inspection of food establishments, including grocery stores and supermarkets, to ensure hygiene and safe handling conditions.

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Food Testing Laboratories and Accreditation Scope – Availability of laboratories for shelf-life testing and contamination monitoring.
Legal reference: Ministerial Decree No. 42/2016 and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, under the supervision of the Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC), ensuring laboratories’ competence in food testing, including shelf-life and contamination analysis.

Degree of Compliant : Compliant
Authority Responsible – Government body handling food safety emergencies and crisis management: Implemented by NFSA

Degree of Compliant : Partially Compliant
Assessment of potential food safety risks.
To note: No Experts Exist in Egypt to do risk analysis

Degree of Compliant : Partially Compliant
Training for emergency response and risk mitigation.
Verification of Technical Regulations concerning food recalls, public health warnings, and emergency response measures
To note: Implemented by NFSA

Degree of Compliant : Partially Compliant

Degree of Compliant : Partially Compliant