Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Hilina food testing laboratory

Pays : Ethiopie

Dates : Start date : 1 January 2011 // End date : 18 September 2015

Identification projet : NL-KVK-27378529-PSI10ET25

Programme : Private Sector Investment programme (PSI)

Présentation
To establish the first commercial accredited modern food testing laboratory in Ethiopia, capable of undertaking a wide variety of microbiological, chemical and physical tests on food products. The economy of Ethiopia and the livelihood of 85% of its population depend on agriculture. This includes the production of economically important commodities like coffee, cereals, oilseeds, pulses, honey and livestock and its products. The increasing global demand for food products in combination with local value addition of food commodities, provide good opportunities for trade, economic growth and higher standards of living of the Ethiopian people. However, a prerequisite for international trade of food products is the compliance with international quality and safety regulations. The lack of an accredited laboratory in Ethiopia is one of the major bottlenecks in ascertaining the quality and safety of food commodities. The local partner in this project, Hilina Enriched Foods Processing Centre Plc encountered this lack on a daily basis, as it produces ready to use therapeutic food for severely malnourished children for organizations like UNICEF and World Food Programme. Its clients needed to send samples for testing to Kenya or Europe. Recognised, this need for Ethiopia and the business opportunity, Hilina Food with their French partner Nutriset S.A.S. started an accredited food testing laboratory on the brink of Addis Ababa. Both, applicant Nutriset as Hilina Food have their own in-house laboratory. In addition, the Dutch accredited food testing lab Nutrilab trained them how to set up and run a commercial food testing laboratory. The main service of the joint venture is the testing of food samples, ensuring compliance to mandatory and regulatory standards, preventing the occurrence of product recalls, eliminate food poisoning, minimize rejects by enhancing product quality and shelf-life and reduce production costs. The lab will contributes significantly to the establishment of a stable food production and processing sector in Ethiopia.

Partenaire (s) : Hilina Enriched Foods Processing Center Plc, Nutriset S.A.S., Netherlands Enterprise Agency

Budget Total : €699,886

Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)