Alum Yousouf Gaungoo – Transforming Mauritius through effective food governance

In Mauritius, at the centre of a groundbreaking and transformative initiative involving public health, food safety, and regulatory excellence is Australia Awards alum, Yousouf Gaungoo, a Principal Public Health and Food Safety Inspector. Yousouf not only graduated with distinction with a Master of Food Science from the University of Melbourne in 2016 but also played a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of food governance in the country.

His main achievements came with the enactment of the Food Act 2022 and the Mauritius Food Standards Agency Act 2022, in 2022, as well as, the Food Regulations 2024, in 2024, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of food governance in Mauritius. Operational since April 2023, the Mauritius Food Standards Agency (MFSA) has swiftly become a beacon of regulatory excellence, with its Board making crucial decisions aligned with the agency’s objectives and functions.

Yousouf explains: “I was also instrumental in the preparatory work that led to the proclamation in June 2024 of the new Mauritian Food Act of 2022, as well as the promulgation of the Food Regulations 2024, in September 2024. My scholarship gave me the opportunity to contribute to Mauritian economic and social development in a meaningful way.” 

The story begins with the recognition of the pressing challenges facing Mauritius, particularly in the realms of food safety, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and trade barriers. Armed with a wealth of knowledge and expertise garnered during his Australia Awards masters program, Yousouf began contributing to the establishment of the MFSA in April 2023 when he was temporarily transferred to the Agency as Officer-in-Charge and member of the Agency’s Board.

One of the primary hurdles was the imminent implementation of new food legislation. The Food Act 2022 and Food Regulations 2024, enforced in 2024, demanded a strategic and meticulous approach to ensure their effective implementation. As Officer-in-Charge, Yousouf not only navigated this challenge but also spearheaded the development of procedures and systems within the MFSA to facilitate compliance and enforcement of the new regulations.

A second critical challenge involved the escalating rates of NCDs and obesity. The Officer-in-Charge recognised the urgent need for regulatory measures and public awareness campaigns to combat these health crises. Leveraging the expertise gained during his masters program, Yousouf launched several initiatives to control the nutritional quality of food, regulate fat, salt, and sugar levels, and educate the public about the importance of balanced diets.

Furthermore, Yousouf played a crucial role in driving and addressing the complex issue of trade barriers through delicately balancing the implementation of regulatory measures for safety and nutritional quality while ensuring alignment with international standards to prevent hindrances to trade. Recognising that Mauritius imports a substantial portion of its food, this approach aimed to safeguard public health without impeding the country’s economic interests.

In this position, Yousouf is also responsible for aspects such as drawing up the Agency’s work program in consultation with the Board; implementing the work program and decisions adopted by the Board and the Ministry; ensuring the provision of appropriate scientific, technical, and administrative support for committees established by the Board; ensuring that the Agency carries out its tasks in accordance with the requirements of the Board and the Ministry; managing the Agency’s finances; and developing and maintaining contact with the Board and the Ministry, to ensure a regular dialogue with the committees.

One of the mandatory functions of the MFSA is to develop procedures and systems to facilitate compliance with and enforcement of the Food Act 2022. In addition, the MFSA is also responsible for developing regulatory measures to implement the Government’s policy to reduce the incidence and prevalence of non-communicable diseases. For example, it aims to develop regulatory measures to control the nutritional quality of food in terms of level of fat, salt, and sugar levels, available on the market. Furthermore, the MFSA is also responsible for ensuring that domestic food regulatory measures are consistent with regional and international ones to prevent any barriers to trade.

Yousouf elaborates on the value of his scholarship: “Studying for a Master of Food Science equipped me with an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of food production, processing, and distribution. This knowledge has been instrumental in tackling several challenges related to food safety, food nutrition and trade barriers. I gained insights into the various aspects of food safety, including microbiology, food processing, and quality control. This knowledge has been used to develop regulatory requirement to ensure that food products meet stringent safety and nutritional quality standards.”

“My studies also provided me with the knowledge and skills required to understand the need to develop nutritious and balanced food products. This involved fortifying foods with essential nutrients, developing healthier alternatives, and creating products that cater to specific dietary needs or health concerns, thus contributing to public health and well-being. A thorough understanding of international food regulations, global food standards, and trade agreements helps me to navigate the challenges surrounding trade barriers that arise due to differences in food safety regulations and standards across various countries,” he says.

Yousouf still uses his scholarship connections and Australian links in his work: “At the Ministry, we had to decide on the type of system to use for front-of- pack- nutrition labelling of food packages. I contacted one of my lecturers, Dr. Gyorgi Scrinis, who is an Associate Professor of Food Politics and Policy at the University of Melbourne, for his guidance on this.”

He regularly shares his knowledge with various stakeholders ranging from players in the agriculture and the food industry to university students. In 2025, his success story continues as he is contributing to the implementation of the Food Act 2022 and Food Regulations 2024.

Mauritius stands on the brink of a new era characterised by a robust food governance framework, enhanced public health, and a conducive environment for economic growth. The transformative impact of Yousouf’s journey radiates far beyond the confines of Port Louis, promising a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for the people of Mauritius.