FG, UNIDO task farmers, others on food safety

The Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have called on farmers and other food handlers in the country to embrace the culture of food safety to enhance the acceptability of Nigeria’s agricultural produce at the international market. The call was made in Lokoja, Kogi State, during a two-day capacity building workshop […]

The Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have called on farmers and other food handlers in the country to embrace the culture of food safety to enhance the acceptability of Nigeria’s agricultural produce at the international market.

The call was made in Lokoja, Kogi State, during a two-day capacity building workshop on food safety organised for farmers, food handlers and other stakeholders in the food supply chain  by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNIDO under the European Union’s (EU) sponsored Nigeria Quality Infrastructure Project (NQIP).

 UNIDO’s National Expert on Food Safety, Mr Tehinse John, said the call became imperative in view of the rejection which agricultural products from Nigeria have faced at the international markets in recent times due to safety concerns of such produce.

 He said the capacity training exercise was put together to enlighten farmers and other stakeholders in food and agribusiness on how to ensure safety in all the stages of the food supply chain.

 “The farmer will know what to do; the caterer and the baker will know what to do. The garri processor and everyone along that chain including those who sell produce in the market place will know what to do,” he said.

 Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, at the training  said the initiative was designed to impart knowledge on food safety practices with a view to addressing the burden food borne diseases emanating from consumption of unsafe food have had on the country in recent times.

 The minister who was represented at the occasion by Mrs Anthonia Opara, a Director of Food, Water and Chemical Division in the ministry, noted that similar training would be held subsequently in other states of the federation.