The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) has urged Nigerians, particularly sellers, buyers and handlers of food, to adopt safety measures to prevent contamination.
The Chairman of NIFST, Lagos Chapter, Dr Aina Olugbenga, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that food safety was everyone’s business.
He spoke on the sidelines of an event on Friday in Lagos.
NAN reports that the event was organised by the NIFST Street Food Safety Initiative as the part of activities marking the 2024 World Food Safety Day (WFSD), celebrated annually on June 7.
The event was held at Ile-Epo, Oke-Odo Market at Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.
Olugbenga, also a Deputy Director of Food Safety at the National Association of Food Drug Administration and Control, said the event was organised to sensitise and inculcate food safety standards into Nigerians.
“It is what you eat that determines your health and it starts from being safety conscious about the kind of food you eat,” he said.
Mrs Yetunde Popoola, Chairman, Street Food Safety, NIFST, Lagos Chapter, said the event was held at the market to create awareness on how wholesome foods should be sold and bought.
Popoola said during the road show held earlier that many sharp practices of the traders were observed by members of the NIFST.
“We went round the market to catch them in the act.
“Vegetables being placed on bare and dirty ground, pineapples that are rotten and being sold, those who use insecticides to keep pests away from beans and fish.
“Even meat sellers pour blood on it to make it look fresh.
“All those sharp practices we observed, we told them the consequences of their actions,” she told NAN.
Also, Mrs Kikelomo Amoraoluwa, the Vice-Chairman, NIFST, Lagos Chapter, urged buyers of food products to be responsible for their food products by looking out for signs of contamination.
“If you’re buying street foods like plantain, you look out for the hygiene of the vendor selling to you.
“Some may have blood clots on their hands and if you’re not careful they can transfer hepatitis B to you as a consumer,” she said.
Amoraoluwa urged traders selling fruits to use clean water and sponge instead of washing them in soapy water.
She cautioned against the use of insecticides to preserve foods, including beans, fish and crayfish.(NAN)
