Stakeholders Seek Collaboration To Enhance Food Safety Measures

Stakeholders, including Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Health Ministry among others have called for enhanced collaboration and united front to combat foodborne illnesses and enhance food safety measures,

The call came as the International community marked the 2023, World Food Safety Day in recognition of the crucial need for a comprehensive and unified approach and increased cooperation to tackle the persistent challenges related to food safety.

The 2023 theme, “Standards Save Lives” be came significant as incidents of food contamination continue to pose threat to public health, prompting stakeholders to highlight the urgency of collective action.

FAO country representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Fred Kafeero said the day was established the UN to support initiatives around the world in healthcare of affected individuals by these non-communicable diseases.

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Kafeero who was represented by the country team leader for FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Otto muhinda, said the celebrations aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage food borne risk and contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agricultural production, market access, tourism and sustainable development.

The permanent secretary ministry of health Engr Adebiyi Afolabi said food safety has a critical role in ensuring that food stays safe at every stage of the food chain.

Represented by the director pharmaceutical services, food and drugs at the ministry, Pharm Joseph Ologun he said Nigerians to do whatever it takes to improve food safety practices and standards in a way that ensure elimination of food borne diseases and illnesses.

Also speaking, director-general, SON, Farouk Salim pointed out that Nigeria’s journey towards achieving optimal food safety is far from over.

Salim who was represented by Yunusa Mohammed noted that as a nation, Nigeria must remain vigilant, proactive, and adapt i approach to food safety as rapid changes in global food production, supply chains, and emerging technologies demand continuous improvement and innovation of our standards and regulatory frameworks.

He called for collaboration to improve food handling, production, processing, and distribution practices as well as to empower and educate consumers to make informed choices and demand safe food.