The Director General National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Moji Adeyeye has said the agency has put in place stringent regulatory processes to ensure that whatever food Nigerians consume is wholesome .
She spoke at an event on Saturday in Bauchi to commemorate the 2024 World Food Safety Day organized by Catalyzing Strengthened Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE) Nigeria in collaboration with the Bauchi State Committee on Food and Nutrition.
Professor Moji Adeyeye said as an agency of the Federal government NAFDAC ensures that that all food products and drugs are fit for human consumption.
According to her, “NAFDAC has sustained the ban on dichlorvos ( snipper) 100ml which is been used for food preservation because of its effect on humans “.
The DG said this year’s theme Prepare for the unexpected is apt as it will help spread awareness on hunger, undernourished population and starvation problems around the world.
Speaking on Food Safety, the Bauchi State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Kamai said ensuring food safety is a public health priority and an easy step to achieving food security.
“Effective food safety and management systems are key not only to safeguarding the well being of the people but also foster economic development “.
Kamai added that from food production to consumption food safety is a shared responsibility.
He noted that 4 Million people die annually around the world due to poisoning and eating contaminated food nothing that eating food that is unfit for human consumption is one of the major causes of food poisoning and common illness.
The Coordinator said food contaminants include abuse of agrochemicals, pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, illegal use of banned agrochemicals and microbial contaminants.
NAFDAC he stated uses agri input dealers, routine inspection of food products and sustained awareness as some of its regulatory measures.
Bauchi State Chairman Committee on Food and Nutrition Jibrin Mohammed Yusuf, said the state has continued to witnessed an increase in cases of malnutrition among children under 5 years which is worrisome.
” As we discuss food safety we also need to talk about food availability especially at this period”.
He added that the Committee is in place to push for adequate budgetary allocation to nutrition activities in line ministries, today we have established school gardens and demonstration to promote use of local nutritional diets”.
Yusuf while commending CASCADE for observing the day urge stakeholders to create awareness about food storage and handling.
Private sector support officer CASCADE Sesi Oliyide said the organization has built the capacity of food vendors under the home grown school feeding program on food storage, preparation and packaging to avoid contamination.
” Food safety is key to ensuring maximum nutrition in meals “.
Focal person Alive&Thrive FHI 360 Bauchi Asimobi Chidiebere said the organization works to provide multiple micronutrient power to pregnant women to address the problem of malnutrition.
He called for collaborative action in promoting nutrition and food safety.
The world good safety day is commemorated on June 7 to increase awareness on the importance of food safety, encourage people to take preventative measures to ensure their food is safe at all and to also promote global action to improve food safety systems. END
