Abstract:
Background: Good manufacturing practice requirements were introduced in the food industry
following the increase in food borne diseases as well as raise in awareness among consumers
on food safety issues. GMP in food industries helps to control potential hazards, if adhered to;
maintain the certainty of food products through continuous improvement of quality; as well as
have food products comply with Tanzania Bureau of Standards and Codex Arimentarius
Commission specifications. Low compliance to GMP in small scale food industries has been
documented in developing countries for decades. However, in Tanzania there is paucity of
knowledge on GMP compliance in small scale food industries.
Objectives: This study intended to determine the proportion of registered small scale maize
milling industries and factors that affect compliance to GMP in Ubungo and Kinondoni
districts of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Methods: A cross - sectional descriptive study was conducted among registered small scale
maize millers who commercially pack maize flour. The study also included food inspectors
from TFDA Eastern Zone Office. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to
collect data. A total of 155 millers and 3 food inspectors were recruited for the study. GMP for
Food Products Observation Checklist adopted from TFDA (Guidelines for GMP of Food
Products, 2013) was used to collect GMP compliance data. Closed and open ended questions,
and interview guide were administered to the respondents to gather information on factors that
affect GMP compliance. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis method. GMP
compliance scale was developed from the TFDA Guidelines above and a total score of 65 was
used.
Results: About 21.9% of registered small scale maize millers were GMP compliant. Millers
who were supervised by TFDA in the past 12 months were 5.54 times more likely to comply
with GMP requirements while millers who had primary education and below (69%) were less
likely to comply with GMP requirements. Also, millers who rented buildings (93%) were less
likely to comply with GMP requirements. Majority (90.9%) of the millers perceived that GMP. was necessary in milling industries however, they reported that it is difficult to implement
(70.8%). GMP supervision was found to be affected by lack of financial and human resources.
Conclusion: A few registered small scale maize millers of Ubungo and Kinondoni Districts
complied with GMP. Low GMP compliance was highly influenced by low level of education
among millers, lack of guidance from TFDA and within past 12 months use of rented
buildings. Supervision is highly affected by lack of resources, human and financial.
Recommendations: Small scale maize millers of Ubungo and Kinondoni Districts should be
sensitized to abide by GMP requirements. Furthermore they should be encouraged to shift to
industrial areas so as to comply with GMP requirements. Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority
should increase the budget for supervision activities and employ sufficient number of food
inspectors.
