Sanitary status of fishery products marketed in Antananarivo, Madagascar

Title : Sanitary status of fishery products marketed in Antananarivo, Madagascar

Abstract:

Quality assurance and the management of sanitary risks associated with fishery and aquaculture products (FAP) are critical for public health protection and the vitality of the national economic sector. This study assesses the sanitary status of fishery and aquaculture products, as well as the distribution and marketing practices of fishery products sold in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The aim is to highlight the characteristics of stakeholders, the dynamics of supply and demand, hygiene practices, storage and preservation conditions, market environments, compliance with sanitary standards, and sales infrastructure, in order to propose potential solutions.

Based on a survey of stakeholders in the supply chain within Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, the analysis shows a predominance of fish farmers (45%). Only half of the stakeholders (52%) had received training, mainly on marketing (32%) and quality standards (33%). Gaps were identified regarding adherence to hygiene standards, cold chain management, the quality of sales infrastructures, and knowledge of legislation. The results indicate variability in hygiene compliance, particularly concerning the conformity of sales premises and the availability of hygiene facilities such as handwashing stations, toilets, and waste disposal systems. Cold chain management also remains a challenge, although freezer usage is prevalent. Air pollution was identified as a major environmental problem affecting product safety.

Key challenges include insufficient equipment, limited access to inputs such as ice, remoteness from control centers, and weak enforcement of laws. The study shows that Antananarivo is a major economic hub for fishery product distribution but faces challenges in hygiene compliance and traceability, mainly due to infrastructure and training deficiencies. These findings highlight the need to strengthen awareness, training, and infrastructure to improve the sanitary safety of FAP in the capital.

Keywords: Fishery products, food safety, marketing, Antananarivo.

Biography:

Berthod Rambohitriarivo is a PhD candidate in Fisheries and Aquaculture Product Safety at the University of Toliara, Madagascar. He holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology with a focus on the Agro-Food Industry. He serves as Official Inspector and Head of Self-Control Laboratories at the Fisheries Sanitary Authority, overseeing HACCP-based inspections and compliance. Since 2019, he has been a FAO-ATLASS evaluator and actively contributes to national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) programs. With nine years of experience in food safety and more than six years in AMR surveillance, he has extensive national and international training in food safety and public health. His work spans microbiology, chemistry, metrology, and molecular biology, ensuring compliance and safety of fishery products for export while supporting evidence-based public health interventions.