In recent years, the Visit Rwanda initiative has brought international attention to Rwanda as a safe, clean, and modern tourist destination.
To warmly welcome visitors from all over the world, one of the most important aspects that must be prioritized is the quality of the food served in hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality venues.
The Role of Hotels in Protecting Guests’ Health
Hotels have a unique responsibility to provide high-quality services, including safe and properly prepared food. This requires knowing the source of the food being used especially meat, which can cause illness if poorly handled or sourced from unlicensed suppliers.
Hotels must request certification from food suppliers to ensure that what they serve has been inspected by the relevant authorities. Knowing the origin of food and working with trusted partners is a key pillar in protecting the health of guests.
In Rwanda, there are institutions responsible for monitoring and certifying food safety:
RICA (Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority) inspects various types of food, including meat, and issues certifications confirming that these products meet the required market standards.
This helps prevent the consumption of harmful or unsafe food. RSB (Rwanda Standards Board) sets the national food standards and also provides international certifications such as HACCP and Halal.
About the Certifications: HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a system for managing food safety from the point of origin to the moment it reaches the consumer.
This process helps prevent contamination or quality degradation at any stage of the food supply chain.
Learn more about HACCP Certification in Rwanda here: RSB HACCP Information
Halal Certification, especially important for accommodating Muslim visitors, ensures that food has been prepared in accordance with Islamic law. In Rwanda, this certification is also issued in collaboration with RSB.
Visit this link to learn more: RSB Halal Certification
The Visit Rwanda program is vital in promoting tourism and attracting investment. However, for it to yield long-term benefits, it is essential that hotels and all hospitality providers strive to offer food that meets high safety and quality standards.
This involves working with certified food suppliers, checking the quality of all materials used, and continuously training staff on hygiene and food handling best practices.
Quality is not optional, it is a responsibility.
Gabriel UZABAKIRIHO / KIGALI TIMES