By Funmilola Gboteku
The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) has urged government to introduce regulatory sanctions against unsafe food practices in markets to protect public health.
The Chairman of NIFST, Lagos Chapter, Kikelomo Amoreoluwa, made the call during the institute’s Street Food Safety Initiative advocacy campaign at Ipodo Market, Ikeja, on Thursday.
The campaign forms part of activities marking this year’s World Food Safety Day, which is celebrated on June 7 annually.
The day aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage food-borne risks, and this year’s commemoration has the theme, “Burden to Solution: Safe Food Everywhere”.
Speaking on food safety challenges in Lagos, Amoreoluwa noted that thousands of residents and visitors rely daily on food sold through informal channels, many operated by vendors lacking food safety training.
She said the resulting knowledge gap contributed significantly to food contamination risks, exposing consumers to preventable illnesses linked to poor hygiene and unsafe handling practices.
Highlighting common violations, she said traders frequently exposed processed foods such as bread, garri, roasted plantain, meat and other ready-to-eat products to dust, flies and contaminants.
According to her, some vendors unknowingly contaminate products during handling, while others source ingredients from unverified suppliers or engage in adulteration practices that endanger consumers.
The NIFST chairman also raised concerns about the misuse of chemicals and poor preservation methods, noting that some contaminants remained harmful even after the food was cooked.
“Some microorganisms and toxins cannot be destroyed by heat. Aflatoxins, for example, can remain in food products even after cooking,” she said.
Amoreoluwa stressed that the absence of specific sanctions allowed many unsafe practices to continue unchecked across informal markets.
“Where there is no law, you cannot bring people to book. Government needs to legislate and create sanctions that will discourage these practices,” she said.
She advocated the establishment of stronger regulatory structures and a dedicated food safety framework involving food scientists within government institutions.
According to her, NIFST is ready to partner with ministries, local governments, local council development areas and public health agencies to strengthen food safety monitoring and education.
“We are available to collaborate with government at all levels. Together, we can develop programmes, policies and public awareness campaigns that promote safe food everywhere,” she said.
Amoreoluwa advised consumers to buy food from trusted vendors and avoid products displayed openly in unhygienic environments, especially ready-to-eat foods requiring no further processing.
Speaking on ongoing interventions, the Chairman of the street food safety initiative, Onyinyechi Nwaokoro, noted that the institute had intensified market sensitisation programmes across Lagos.
Nwaokoro said visits to markets revealed persistent food safety concerns, including food adulteration, improper storage and the use of harmful substances to preserve food products.
Highlighting the institute’s response, she said NIFST had adopted a continuous engagement model involving regular market visits, training sessions and distribution of protective materials.
According to her, the institute recently visited five major markets in Lagos, and will also be conducting monthly follow-up visits to encourage compliance with food safety guidelines.
A member of NIFST, Ogunji Akinyele, said the advocacy campaign was intended to educate traders and consumers on the importance of safe food handling practices.
He commended the Iyaloja (market leader) of Ipodo Market for supporting the initiative and urged consumers to pay greater attention to food safety as a shared responsibility.
Also, Mrs Oriyomi Balogun, a market woman at Ipodo, said she learnt a lot from the sensitisation programme organised by NIFST.
“I have learned that where there is cleanliness, the risk of disease and other health challenges are greatly reduced. Our children will be less likely to suffer from food poisoning, and we will not have to rush them to hospitals for treatment.
“It is important for us to keep the environment where we store and sell food clean. This benefits both the traders and our customers by ensuring that the food we offer is safe for consumption.
“This exercise has given us the opportunity to learn many things that market women are often unaware of, including the importance of proper handwashing, covering food items to prevent contamination, and maintaining good hygiene practices at all times,” Balogun said.
Similarly, Mama Joy, a Rice Seller at Ipodo Market, said the initiative was an opportunity to learn about safe food hygiene practices.
She commended NIFST for the training sessions and the distribution of protective materials.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety and LAWMA among others, were present at the NIFST’S Lagos Chapter Food Safety Initiative at Ipodo Market. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
