Food Safety Risks and Mitigation Strategies for Root and Tuber Crops in sub-Saharan Africa- A mini-review

• Root and tuber crops secure food, income, and livelihoods for millions in Africa. • Food safety is vital for its inimical impacts on nutrition, public health, and trade. • RTC faces cyanogenic glycosides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues. • Enhance farmer capacity and heighten awareness of contamination risks management. • Strengthen enforcement and update regulatory frameworks governing food safety laws. Root and tuber crops like cassava, sweet potato, potato, taro, and yam are important staples in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), contributing substantially to food security, income generation, and livelihoods of millions of households. As a foundational element of agrifood systems, food safety plays a critical role in ensuring the health and well-being of populations. However, root and tuber agrifood systems in SSA face numerous food safety challenges, including but not limited to cyanogenic glycosides, chemical contaminants, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues that need to be well cataloged. This mini-review identifies and synthesizes key food safety risks associated with root and tuber crops, with a focus on contamination, public health implications, and existing policy and regulatory gaps in SSA. The insights aim to raise and enhance awareness among stakeholders including farmers, consumers, traders, policymakers, and support the development of effective regulatory frameworks. These findings can inform policy formulation and guide strategic investments in food safety infrastructure to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of SSA root and tuber value chains.