200,000 Nigerians Killed Annually by Food-Borne Illnesses
As NiCoFST considers strict measures against food vendors, restaurant proprietors, and others engaging in detrimental activities, ...
Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister for Innovation, Science, and Technology, has sounded the alert about the significant number of fatalities resulting from food-related diseases in Nigeria. The minister reports that approximately 200,000 people in Nigeria succumb annually to health issues stemming from tainted and diluted food products.
On Thursday, during the formal introduction of the Food Safety Operational Manual and the training session for Food Safety Desk Officers in Abuja, Nnaji cautioned that the federal government will not condone illegal and immoral food practices anymore.
The minister, who was represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Professor Samson Duna, emphasized that food safety is not just a health issue but should be considered a top priority for national security.
"The era of immunity is coming to an end. Henceforth, all individuals engaged in food tampering and pollution will confront the entire force of legal consequences," Nnaji stated firmly.
He expressed regret that according to WHO reports, more than 600 million individuals worldwide get sick each year because of contaminated food, with Nigeria reporting 200,000 fatalities annually from this issue.
He disclosed that in Sub-Saharan Africa, the yearly death toll climbs to an astonishing 420,000 fatalities.
"This goes beyond merely being a health concern; it is also a top national security priority, an essential developmental requirement, and a crucial factor for equitable economic expansion. Ensuring food safety is vital to achieving the goals set out in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda," stressed Nnaji.
He stated that to tackle this problem, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has increased its endeavors to reinforce food safety rules across various governmental tiers, particularly focusing on Local Government Areas where supervision is most lacking.
He mentioned that the Ministry is working alongside organizations such as the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCoFST) to enforce stronger supervision and take more preemptive actions.
Nnaji highlighted multiple programs designed to enhance food security nationwide. These include the creation of cost-effective technologies for food conservation and quality control, as well as the encouragement of local inventions that honor Nigeria’s varied gastronomic heritage. Additionally, Nnaji emphasized the use of portable and digital educational resources to train unregistered food sellers in both countryside and city areas.
The Minister also praised Mrs. Veronica Ezeh, the Registrar of NiCoFST, along with her team, for their expertise and forward-thinking approach in creating Nigeria’s very first Food Safety Operational Manual.
Previously, Mrs. Veronica Ezeh, the Registrar of NiCoFST, cautioned food sellers, restaurant proprietors, and those involved in food businesses who engage in illegal actions, advising them to stop practices that pose risks to public well-being.
"Food adulteration is a criminal offense, and those involved in it are not only breaking the law but also putting people's lives at risk. Washing fruits with detergents, using burning tires to remove animal skins, using carbide to ripen fruits, cooking meat with paracetamol, and adding harmful dyes like Sudan 4 dye to enhance the appearance of red oil and peppers are dangerous practices that must be stopped immediately," Ezeh stated.
She emphasized that these immoral actions lead to serious health issues including renal failure, hepatic cirrhosis, malignancies, and undernourishment.
The NiCoFST Registrar additionally urged for enhanced hiring of competent food safety specialists at the local government level, pointing out that numerous local government areas have not adhered to constitutional requirements concerning the engagement of these experts.
Ezeh stressed that ensuring food safety should be embedded at every level of governmental operations. It is crucial for local chairpersons to promptly hire certified experts in food safety, and both lawmakers and stakeholders involved in development efforts must make food safety policies a top priority.
During the training session, more than 150 Food Safety Desk Officers along with attendees from various food regulatory bodies, Abuja Area Councils, and representatives of food businesses received essential resources and expertise needed for implementing the updated food safety procedures detailed in the handbook.
She pointed out that with this new advancement, the era of lenient oversight in food safety has ended, bringing hope for a healthier, safer Nigeria.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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