With increasing health challenges associated with food consumption, the Federal Government, yesterday, sensitized Nigerians on proper and safe handling of food to prevent food-borne diseases.
Speaking during ‘Sensitization Forum of Federal and States Ministry of Agriculture and their Agricultural Development Programmes, ADPs,’ organised by the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology, NiCFoST, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, NiCFoST, Veronica Ezeh, in an address of welcome said the sensitization became necessary due to unprofessional practices and mismanagement in Nigeria’s food value chains, which have lingered for too long.
Ezeh pointed out that the unwholesome practices were detrimental, and they seriously impact food production, thereby becoming substandard that affects industrialisation plans, export potential, and eventually leads to the rise of preventable food-borne diseases in the country.
According to her, NiCFoST being the first Council in Sub-Saharan Africa regulating food science and technology remains committed to efficiently managing various segments of the country’s food value chain and supply systems.
Meanwhile, the NiCFoST boss emphasized how important feedback from stakeholders is at all levels to enhance food safety measures, therefore urged them on transparency, particularly at the grassroots level, for a comprehensive approach.
She said: “We are determined to live our vision which is efficient professional management of the various segments of the Nigerian food value chains and supply systems following current scientific practices for food security and our mission which is to develop and promote the highest standards in the training and practice of the Food Science and Technology profession in Nigeria.
“To achieve the vision and mission of the Council, it became imperative that the Council collaborate with the grassroots hfood commodities’ producers and all, hitherto, involved in their post-harvest handlings to include marketing and packaging.
“This sensitisation is aimed at ensuring that the regulation of food at the LGAs is carried out according to world best operating practices/procedures as done internationally so our food or food products can be safe for Nigerians and compete favourably with the ones outside of Nigeria and not rejected when exported.
“So NICFOST will rely on the Ministries of Agriculture (Federal and State including the Ministries of Health) for the improvement of food safety practices right from the farm.
“We know that the final food products or farm commodities (either consumed as produced or processed) depends on good agricultural practices. You, the primary producers, are very important in the food value chain. We are soliciting for your support for best food standards in Nigeria.”
