Processing & Storage

Image credit: Ethiopian news Agency

Ethiopia has renewed its call for greater recognition of coffee as more than a global export, framing it as a cultural treasure, a social bond and a vital economic pillar for both the country and the wider African continent

The message was delivered at a high level policy forum held on Tuesday during the 3rd African Coffee Week in Addis Ababa, where leaders and development partners gathered to discuss the future of Africa’s coffee industry.

Meles Mekonnen, State Minister of Agriculture said, “Coffee is far more than a tradable commodity. It is and will remain one of Africa’s most powerful symbols and strategic assets,” Meles said.

He warned that climate change is placing increasing pressure on the sector, with erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and growing pest threats already affecting production. According to Meles, smallholder farmers are bearing the brunt of these changes, making climate resilience and sustainable transformation urgent priorities.

As Africa’s largest coffee producer, Ethiopia has positioned coffee at the core of its national development strategy. Meles said the government is expanding climate smart farming practices, strengthening quality control systems and improving market transparency, while ensuring women and young people benefit from sector reforms.

He also urged African countries to rethink their role in the global coffee value chain by moving beyond raw bean exports and investing in value addition, branding and finished products. He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major opportunity to build regional value chains and create decent jobs.

“Investments in climate smart production systems and sustainable land management are not optional; they are economically prudent,” he said. “Together, we can cultivate a coffee industry that is economically vibrant and deeply rooted in Africa’s rich heritage.”

AU Commission Chief of Staff Mohamed El Amine Souef echoed the call for stronger cooperation, noting that new harmonised African coffee standards aim to boost competitiveness.
“Coffee brings people from diverse cultures together for mutual benefit,” Souef said.

UNIDO Representative Stephen Kargbo highlighted coffee’s role in Ethiopia’s export earnings while warning of climate risks and price volatility. “No single institution or government can address these issues alone,” he said.

Italian Ambassador Sem Fabrizi praised coffee’s cultural roots and confirmed Italy’s continued support through development cooperation and increased financing via the Italian Climate Fund.

The MiniQube combines form and function. (Image source: Minitube)

The minimalist digital microscope called MiniQube that has been developed by Minitube and QubeDot has won the international Red Dot Design Award 2026 in the Product Design category

Build upon exemplary innovation, the MiniQube combines form and function that deliver highly reproducable results in a clean, modern aesthetic. Bereft of complications such as screws or knobs, the fully integrated digital microscope is a significant advancement in standardised computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). 

The award highlights the product’s clean, minimalist design as well as its successful integration of functionality, user-friendliness, and technological precision. Its autofocus, a motorised and heated stage, digital light control and well-synced optics optimise variability and considerably simplifies analyses delivery. 

The MiniQube enhances hygienic laboratory environments with its exceptional usability, ergonomics and durability.

The Red Dot Design Award acknowledges MiniQube's outstanding standards for laboratory equipment in industry and research, which are driven by cutting-edge technology and a user-centered design approach. 

While Minitube comprises an expert team on semen and embryo processing and preservation, its advancement requires relevant technical support as well. The MiniQube is thus an example of the team's equal expertise in related fields such as basic and applied research, product development and quality assurance.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food are not harmful if safety standards are met.

This assurance comes as public debates continue over the safety of GMOs in Nigeria. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General said, “GMOs are genetically modified foods when it comes to food, and they are not bad for us. They are not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether the safety considerations have been taken.”

Adeyeye emphasized the importance of proper labelling so that consumers can make informed decisions. “I’m a food freak. I want to know what I’m eating is going to give me a good health outcome. I look at the label. I want to be sure that NAFDAC’s label is on it… It’s supposed to have ‘genetically modified food’ written on it,” she said.

She also explained that NAFDAC works closely with the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), which is responsible for the safety oversight of GMOs in Nigeria. “We work in collaboration with the Biosafety Management Agency. We have an MoU with them. They are mandated to ensure that the foods that have GMOs are of quality, they are safe, and they are efficacious,” Adeyeye noted.

According to her, transparent labelling, similar to the way organic foods are marked, gives people the freedom to choose. “When you look at the food on the table in the market—especially grocery stores—you will see foods labeled organic. You put labels [on foods] that are not organic, and people have the choice to buy which one they want,” she said.

She added that NAFDAC can only approve GMO products after the NBMA has certified their safety. “That is the reason why the collaboration between us and the NBMA is very solid. Without them certifying that they have done their due diligence in their laboratory for desk review or whatever, we cannot approve.”

This statement comes after the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) recently emphasized the role of GMOs in fighting hunger and improving agriculture. Abdullahi Mustapha, the NBRDA Director-General, warned against misinformation: “False claims about GMOs have contributed to public skepticism and slowed down the adoption of technologies that can transform lives.”

The regulations also define what product names can be used.

South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has officially published new regulations for meat analogue products.

These rules, released in Government Gazette Notice R. 6436 on 18 July 2025, aim to bring clarity and consistency to the sale, labelling, and marketing of plant-based and other non-meat alternatives across the country.

The regulations are the result of thorough consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including those in the red meat industry. They set clear minimum standards for meat analogues, covering how products should be labelled and what they must contain to meet requirements.

According to the department, any product that uses terms such as “meat replacer,” “meat substitute,” “meat alternative,” or “plant-based protein” on the main label must contain at least 9% protein.

“The meat analogue products, also known as meat substitutes, mock meat, faux meat, or imitation meat, were initially defined in the Processed Meat Regulations as a product that approximates the aesthetic qualities (primary texture, flavour and appearance) and/or chemical characteristics of a specific type of meat,” the department said in a statement.

“These products are derived from non-meat ingredients, sometimes without dairy products and are available in different forms (coarse ground meat analogues, emulsified meat analogues and loose fill, etc.).”

The regulations also define what product names can be used. Names such as hot dogs, burgers, patties, sausages, schnitzels, and mince will be allowed for meat analogues, as long as the labelling clearly identifies the product as non-meat and helps consumers understand its true nature. Descriptive terms like frikkadel, nuggets, rounds, wheels, and sizzlers are also permitted.

However, the use of names or references that suggest a specific animal, such as “chicken-style,” “beef-style,” “chick’n,” or “b*con,” is not allowed under the Agricultural Product Standards Act of 1990.

Enforcement of the new rules will be managed by departmental inspectors, as no specific assignee has been appointed yet. The Food Safety Agency will oversee labelling compliance, and the Border Management Authority will ensure imported products follow the same regulations.

The department said the new rules should be welcomed by all industry players and consumers alike. “Consumers will enjoy the protection from the sale of misleading products. Furthermore, the publication of the Meat Analogue Products Regulations will foster confidence in the sale of meat analogues and meat products in South Africa.”