The Food Authority of Liberia announces plans to translate newly issued cold chain standards into enforceable monitoring tools to safeguard the safety and nutritional quality of frozen foods sold in Liberia.
FAL Director General Prescellia Cherue said the move follows receipt of cold chain monitoring standards from the Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA) during a presentation at agency’s headquarters in Monrovia.
The tools will guide inspections and regulatory action across importers, distributors and retailers.
“We will use these standards to monitor, enforce and evoke compliance of all importers, distributors and retailers and the general market. This is intended to ensure that what comes from the market to our plate are safe and healthy for consumers,” Ms. Cherue said.
She stressed that imported frozen foods must be accompanied by health and safety certifications from recognized international authorities.
The authority said the cold chain measures are part of broader administrative standards intended to strengthen food safety, ensure product quality, and promote fair market practices in the frozen food sector.
Key requirements for importers include business registration, tax and labor compliance, approved import permit declarations, and maintenance of an unbroken cold chain from origin to distribution in Liberia.
The Food Authority chief noted that alignment with Codex and ECOWAS standards will bolster national enforcement by providing clear inspection criteria and compliance benchmarks.
“We will collaborate with partners to ensure effective implementation, awareness creation and capacity building among relevant stakeholders,” she added.
FAL’s mandate covers all stages of food production, processing and distribution. The authority will apply the standards with vigilance — monitoring risk assessment, risk communication and traceability — and stand ready to take emergency measures where food safety is threatened.
The initiative aims not only to reduce foodborne illness but also to protect the nutritional value of frozen products and build public trust in the national food system. FAL described the standards as a national blueprint for public health and economic growth.
