NIFST intensifies food safety awareness in Lagos market
By Funmilola Gboteku
The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Lagos Chapter, has intensified efforts to promote food safety awareness among market vendors and consumers in Lagos State.
The state Chairman of NIFST, Mrs Kikelomo Amoreoluwa, made this known at a food safety awareness programme organised by the institute at Ojuwoye Market in Mushin.
She said the initiative was part of their ongoing celebration of the World Food Safety Day, observed globally on June 7.
Amoreoluwa highlighted the institute’s commitment to educating the public about the dangers of unsafe food practices.
“This programme is aimed at interacting with everyone in the food value chain, from aggregators to street food vendors.
“This market visit is the third event in our series of awareness programmes, following radio appearances and a webinar designed to reach a broader audience across Nigeria,” she said.
She stressed the need to sensitise both market vendors, aggregators and consumers that if food was not safe, then it was no longer food, but poison to the body.
Citing instances, she said some sharp practices that could lead to food contamination and illness include the use of harmful chemicals such as sniper on dried products, such as beans and fish to deter insects.
She added that some market vendors used detergents to soak cassava.
“Another sharp practice is ripening fruits like plantains and bananas with carbide, and washing oranges with soapy water instead of plain water with a little salt or vinegar,” Amoreoluwa said.
She further stressed the importance of proper food preservation, citing a tragic case of food poisoning due to inadequately warmed food, leading to a young man’s death.
Amoreoluwa also spoke on food fraud, where vendors try to clean and re-sell moldy rice by rinsing it and using oil to make it appear shiny.
On government efforts, she noted that more needed to be done in the area of food safety awareness.
The chairman urged the government to enhance awareness efforts through collaboration with institutes such as NIFST to support regular advocacy programmes across radio, print, and social media.
She also highlighted a new Federal Ministry of Health guideline requiring food handlers to undergo medical tests twice a year to screen for conditions such as hepatitis A and typhoid, which would prevent them from handling food.
Also, Mrs Yetunde Popoola, the Street Food Safety Committee Chairman at NIFST, reiterated the purpose of the World Food Safety Awareness Programme at Ojuwoye Market.
Popoola stated that the initiative, themed “Food Safety Science in Action”, was aimed at enlightening and sensitising food handlers about the implications of sharp practices.
“All that we are doing is to reach the grassroots and let them know that if it is not safe, it is not food,” she said
She highlighted that these unsafe practices could harm consumers, including the vendors’ families.
Also, a member of NIFST, Olasumbo Olagoke-Komolafe, elaborated on the programme’s objectives, stressing the importance of food hygiene and the need for food vendors to understand the science behind safe food handling.
Olagoke-Komolafe highlighted the critical role of proper hand washing, maintaining a clean environment, and storing perishable goods on elevated surfaces rather than on the floor.
She also highlighted the dangers of leaving cooked food exposed to flies, and called for more consistent and widespread campaigns beyond just the World Food Safety Day.
Mrs Tomilayo Kayode, Head of Inspectorate Environmental and Occupational Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, commended NIFST for the awareness programme.
Kayode noted that many market people were unaware of the significance of the World Food Safety Day and the importance of food hygiene.
She emphasised that food safety would prevent illnesses and food borne diseases.
Kayode disclosed that her unit inspects workplaces and marketplaces, kitchens and food storage facilities regularly and demands medical certificates of fitness from food handlers.
Also, Mrs Esther Uwah, Chairman Professional Association of Public Health Nurses, Lagos State Chapter, described the food safety awareness programme as a noble initiative that should be done regularly to address epidemics caused by poor hygiene practices.
Uwah expressed concern over the relationship between meat sellers and fruit sellers, especially the risk of cross-contamination from flies and poor food handling practices.
She also highlighted the impact of inadequate electricity supply on food safety, noting that temperature fluctuations could cause food spoilage.
”There is a need for consistent power supply and affordable food prices to promote safe food handling practices, ”she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
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