International organizations have called on Nigerian regulatory agencies to diligently implement policy measures and legal frameworks toward strengthening the national food safety system.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) called on Nigeria to ensure it complies with food safety standards.
The duo also charged the country with the need to improve hygienic practices in the food and agriculture sector in Nigeria.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2022 World Food Safety Day in Abuja on Tuesday with the theme: “Safer food, better health, the Head of Mission and Representative of WHO, Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo said, any adverse effect of food safety incident may have global negative effects on public health, trade and the economy.
He stated that Nigeria needs to continually improve its food supply chains to prevent infectious and toxic hazards, microbial pathogens, chemical residues, biotoxins, and other noxious substances from getting into the food.
In his remarks, FAO Representative for Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Fred Kafeero, urged stakeholders and partners to play their roles and raise more awareness about food safety and its importance to the general health and economy.
Kafeero said, “Everyone has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food consumed is safe and healthy for a better tomorrow.”
