Board Members - Mauritius Food Standards Agency

BOARD MEMBERS

What is the responsibility of the Board?

The Board is responsible for administering the Mauritius Food Standards Agency (MFSA) and consists of a chairperson and 12 members. It provides the MFSA with strategic direction, oversight, and governance. The Board meets on a monthly basis.

Who are the Board members?

Hemchun Beeharry

Mr. Beeharry serves as the chairperson of the Mauritius Food Standards Agency, appointed by the Minister. With a wealth of experience in food safety, he previously held the position of Director of Public Health and Food Safety at the Ministry of Health and Wellness. With over 45 years of experience, Mr. Beeharry has played a significant role in drafting key legislation including the Food Act 2022, Food Regulations 2024, and the Mauritius Food Standards Agency Act 2022. Additionally, he has served as the former Chairman of the National CODEX Committee and as a member of the GMO committee.

Mohammad Eshan Furreedan

Mr. Fureedan serves as the Director of Public Health and Food Safety within the Ministry of Health and Wellness. As head of the Public Health and Food Safety Inspectorate, he enforces the Food Act 2022 and Food Regulations 2024, ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Additionally, Mr. Fureedan advises the Ministry on food safety matters, contributing to policy development and regulatory decisions.

Aryamah Kumaree Doomun

Mrs. Doomun serves as the Chief Nutritionist and heads the Nutrition Unit within the Ministry of Health and Wellness. With expertise and extensive experience in food and nutrition, she plays a crucial role in advising the Ministry on nutrition-related policies and initiatives. In her capacity, Mrs. Doomun provides counseling and guidance to the public on matters pertaining to nutrition, aiming to promote healthy eating habits and improve overall well-being. Additionally, she is responsible for developing comprehensive nutrition guidelines tailored to the needs of the entire population, addressing diverse dietary requirements and health considerations.

Dr Vishal Goury

Dr. Goury is the Chief Government Analyst and heads the Government Analyst Division within the Ministry of Health and Wellness. With over 16 years of experience in analytical chemistry, he specializes in the analysis of food and environmental samples. The division, under his leadership, is responsible for conducting essential analyses mandated by the Food Act 2022 and Food Regulations 2024, as well as assessments of drinking water quality as per the Environment Protection Act. Dr. Goury advises the Ministry on matters concerning food safety and other analytical issues, contributing to policy development and regulatory decisions.

Dr Mohammad Iqbal Issack

Dr. Issack is the Deputy Director of Laboratory Services at the Central Health Laboratory. With a background in medical microbiology, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing microbiological testing of food at the Central Health Laboratory which is the designated facility for all microbiological examinations mandated under the Food Act 2022 and Food Regulations 2024. His expertise in medical microbiology equips him to lead the laboratory in conducting accurate and thorough analyses to assess the safety and quality of food products. Furthermore, Dr. Issack provides valuable guidance to the Ministry on policies related to microbiological safety standards and the examination of food.

Yashwant Fakoo

Mr. Fakoo serves as an Analyst/Senior Analyst within the Sector Ministry Support Team (SMST) for the Ministry of Health and Wellness, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, and Development. In this capacity, he fulfills a crucial role in analyzing and recommending budget proposals and expenditures originating from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with a focus on projects and human resources. His responsibilities extend beyond financial analysis to providing valuable analytical feedback on policy matters and day-to-day operational issues within the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Mr. Fakoo actively contributes to the identification of potential reforms and efficiency-enhancing measures for the Ministry, aligning with broader governmental objectives. Furthermore, Mr. Fakoo ensures the effective implementation of budget proposals and measures, monitoring progress and facilitating necessary adjustments as needed.

Satyaveer Sarvesh Koonjah

As an Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Koojah plays a pivotal role in providing essential administrative support to the agricultural services division. His responsibilities extend to overseeing all aspects related to food safety within the Ministry. Additionally, he contributes significantly to the preparation of policy documents pertinent to food safety and related areas.

Nilavadi Chengan

Mrs. Chengan holds the position of Principal Consumer Affairs Officer at the Ministry of Commerce & Consumer Protection. In this role, she shoulders the crucial responsibility of enforcing consumer laws aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of consumers. Her duties encompass ensuring compliance with regulations and taking necessary measures to address any breaches that may threaten consumer interests. Mrs. Chengan’s dedication to consumer protection contributes significantly to promoting fairness and transparency in commercial transactions, ultimately fostering trust and confidence in the marketplace.

Dr Shalini Neeliah

Dr. Neeliah holds dual roles as the Principal Scientific Officer for the Food Science and Technology Division and Acting Assistant Director for Agricultural Services, while also serving as the Codex Contact Point. With a specialized focus on food science and technology, she possesses extensive expertise in food testing, food safety, and food product development. She is responsible for the administration and management of the Division, as well as, providing advice and functional guidance and assistance on all policies and related matters to the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security. In her capacity, Dr. Neeliah is tasked with the administration and management of the Division, as well as, providing advice, functional guidance, and assistance on all policies and related matters to the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.

Mohammud Yusuf Foondun

Mr. Foondun serves as Deputy Director at the Mauritius Standards Bureau, where he oversees a broad spectrum of operational tasks. His role encompasses standards development, laboratory testing spanning civil engineering to food products, metrology, calibration of equipment parameters, product certification, and management systems training. With specialized knowledge in auditing quality and food safety management systems, Mr. Foondun contributes significantly to ensuring adherence to rigorous standards. He brings extensive experience in developing Mauritian standards based on international benchmarks and guiding certification processes for products and management systems. Mr. Foondun’s expertise also extends to accreditation processes for management systems, products, and laboratory activities. His dedication to upholding quality and safety standards is instrumental in advancing the mission of the Mauritius Standards Bureau.

Patrice Marie

Mr. Marie is the Chief Operating of the BrandActiv cluster within IBL Ltd. He also serves as council member of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industries, where he holds the position of president of the Commerce Commission. Patrice has had 26 years of experience working for a multinational FMCG, having responsibility over single and cluster of markets at senior management level across 17 countries in Southern, Central, and Eastern Africa. He has been responsible for manufacturing operations in specific markets and has been involved in mergers and acquisitions projects in two African markets.

Claude Canabady

Mr. Canabady is a passionate consumer rights advocate with a proven track record of leadership in the field. Since the inception of the Consumers Eye Association (CEA) in 2017, he has served as its General Secretary, driving the organization’s mission forward. Before his involvement with CEA, Mr. Canabady held the position of president at L’ACIM (L’Association des Consommateurs de L’Ile Maurice), demonstrating his commitment to consumer advocacy. Additionally, he actively participated in the “WHICH” association for consumers in the UK, showcasing his dedication to the cause on an international scale. As the spokesperson for CEA, Mr. Canabady liaises with the media to raise awareness about consumer rights and addresses consumer concerns on a daily basis. He is deeply involved in educating consumers about their rights and responsibilities, ensuring they are empowered to advocate for fair treatment.

Mrs. Madhumattee Ramkhelawon

Mrs. Ramkhelawon is a seasoned civil servant with over three decades of experience. Currently serving as Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, she oversees the Public Health Unit and leads administrative and medical staff in driving policies on public health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, environment health, food safety, and licensing of private health institutions. She also manages the training section and holds positions on the Audit Committee of the Ministry, the Mauritius Institute of Health Board, and as Director on the CEB (Facilities) Co. Ltd.