The ECOWAS Technical Committee for Standards Management (TMC) convened in Praia, Cape Verde, on July 28–29, 2025, to review and adopt updated regional standards on fortified foods, including iodized salt, vegetable oils, and wheat flour.
Organised with support from UNICEF, the meeting is part of ongoing efforts to combat malnutrition across West Africa, aligned with the ECOWAS Common Industrial Policy (PICAO) and the ECOSHAM framework for regional standardization.
Participants also approved the restructuring of several sectoral technical committees to improve efficiency and coordination. ECOWAS Industry Director, Lassané Kaboré, stressed the critical role of harmonised food standards in safeguarding public health and enhancing regional trade.
UNICEF reaffirmed its support for food fortification as a key strategy in improving child nutrition across the region. The session was widely regarded as a significant milestone in the pursuit of safer, more nutritious, and affordable food for West African communities.
