The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) has called for stronger enforcement of food safety regulations, including the arrest of offenders where necessary, to curb unsafe food handling practices.
NIFST President, Dr Biodun Osinowo, made the call at a breakfast meeting with members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) on Tuesday in Lagos.
The meeting, organised by ANJET, focused on food safety, public awareness, regulation and the potential of Nigerian cuisine as a tourism product.
Osinowo stressed that public education and awareness campaigns must be backed by effective enforcement to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
“When you educate, you also need to enforce. I urge the government, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies to strengthen public awareness and enforcement, while improving their capacity to monitor compliance.” Osinowo stressed.
He disclosed that the Director-General of NAFDAC had told him that the agency required a minimum of 20,000 workers but currently had about 2,000.
Osinowo therefore called for increased government support for regulatory agencies and greater involvement of local government food inspectors in monitoring food safety practices at the grassroots.
He explained that NIFST, through its Food Safety Committee, had been educating market women on basic hygiene, food preservation and the dangers of using harmful chemicals.
The institute’s Public Relations Officer, Olutaller Akinwole, said sustained awareness was necessary because many food vendors were unaware of the health implications of unsafe practices.
“Awareness is a very critical thing. NIFST Academy is open to collaborate with local governments, regulatory agencies and relevant associations to train food handlers and promote safe food practices.” Akinwole explained.
Similarly, NIFST National Secretary, Rasaq Oke, called for closer collaboration between NIFST, NAFDAC and other relevant agencies to educate people involved in unsafe food handling.
“Food safety is everybody’s responsibility. Ensuring food safety requires collective action and cooperation among stakeholders.” Oke stressed.
The Local Organising Committee Chairman, Taiwo Ubani, also advocated increased public awareness to tackle unsafe practices and their consequences.
A former Chairman of the NIFST Lagos Chapter, Sunday Bamgbose, linked food safety to Nigeria’s tourism ambitions and the promotion of Nigerian cuisine internationally.
“I can see the potential of tourism in Nigeria if we put our acts together. Nigeria had a wide variety of indigenous foods that could be promoted internationally, however food safety is essential to creating a positive experience for tourists.
“The NIFST Lagos Chapter had worked with street food vendors by educating them on safe practices and providing personal protective equipment. But, stronger partnerships could expand such initiatives despite resource constraints and deepen the connection between food safety and tourism. If we do this, I believe as we talk of Chinese food, we start talking of Nigerian food in a very short time.” Bamgbose said.
Osinowo also gave an overview of NIFST, saying the institute was established in 1976 and had recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with several activities, including its 50th conference and annual general meeting in Lagos.
He added that the institute had more than 15,000 members worldwide and 11 active chapters in Nigeria.
NIFST brings together professionals from academia, government establishments, research, regulatory agencies and the hospitality sector.
