The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the revised national policy on food safety and quality.
At an event to mark the 2024 World Food Safety Day in Abuja yesterday, the minister of health and social security, Prof Mohammed Ali Pate also inaugurated four inter-sectoral Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to spearhead the enhancement of Nigeria’s food safety systems in alignment with international standards.
The TWGs will provide expertise and leadership to drive effective communication, capacity building and strategic partnerships among stakeholders, as part of continued efforts to strengthen and harmonise Nigeria’s regulatory environment and risk-based food safety systems, while improving industry engagement in the national regulatory processes and compliance with international food safety standards.
They are tasked with focusing on risk-based regulations, food inspection, traceability technologies, and stakeholder education and research.
Speaking further, Pate emphasised the importance of preparedness and vigilance in maintaining food safety.
According to the minister, the revised policy, which adopts the one health approach, aimed to establish a robust foodborne disease surveillance and response system, set benchmarks for safe food handling, and address emerging contaminants in the food chain.
Represented by permanent secretary, Daju Kachollom, the minister stated that the policy seeks promote overall health by reducing the intake of harmful substances such as salt, trans fatty acids, sugar, and alcohol.
In her remarks, programme manager, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS), Kelly Scavella said, “USDA-FAS is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other Nigerian stakeholders to help build food safety systems that are relevant to consumers, producers and regulators.
The TWGs have been set up to modernise Nigeria’s food safety regulatory framework in line with international best practices to address food safety concerns and facilitate the development of a strong agriculture and food industry.”
As part of World Food Safety Week, USDA, in collaboration with the ministry, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), and the U.S. industry-led group Food & amp; Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) conducted a workshop and launched the Technical Working Groups, June 6-7 in Abuja.
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