A comprehensive review of food safety risks in Ethiopia: hazards, drivers, and strategic interventions

Food safety in Ethiopia represents a critical and escalating public health and economic challenge, characterized by a complex interplay of biological, chemical, and systemic hazards. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence to delineate the extensive landscape of foodborne risks, from farm to fork. It details the high prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in animal-source foods and fresh produce, the pervasive and toxicologically significant contamination of staples with mycotoxins like aflatoxin, and the unregulated proliferation of chemical residues from pesticides and veterinary drugs. The analysis further identifies the foundational drivers of this crisis: a fragmented regulatory framework, deficient enforcement capacity, crippling infrastructural gaps, and an under-resourced scientific surveillance system. The paper concludes that mitigating this multifaceted burden requires a paradigm shift from fragmented, reactive measures to a coordinated, preventive, and evidence-based national food safety system. Strategic recommendations are provided for policy, infrastructure, surveillance, and public awareness to safeguard public health and secure economic interests.