Amid efforts to curtail food poisoning, the federal government has said it is collaborating with commodities producers at the grassroots level and being more involved in the post-harvest handlings including storage, processing, and packaging.
The Registrar/CEO Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST), Veronica Ezeh, expressed worry at the unprofessional practices and mismanagement of Nigeria’s food value chains, which it stated had lingered for too long in the country.
Ezeh while speaking yesterday at the sensitization Forum of State Ministries of Local Government, Local Government Commissions, and State Ministries of Health in NiCFoST highlighted the detrimental impact of substandard food production on industrialization plans, export potential, and the rise of preventable foodborne diseases.
Ezeh noted that NiCFoST being the first council in sub-Saharan Africa regulating food science and technology is committed to efficiently managing various segments of the country’s food value chain and supply systems.
She stressed the importance of gathering feedback from stakeholders at all levels to enhance food safety measures and urged transparency, particularly at the grassroots level, for a comprehensive approach.
She added, “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.”
She mentioned “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 favorably 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.”
