Forum raises concern over increase in food contaminants, diseases

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day 1^st Nigeria Food Safety and Investment Forum, organised by UNIDO, Federal Government of Nigeria and funded by EU on Wednesday in Lagos.

The forum, which took place from Feb. 7 to Feb. 8, had its theme as “Examining the interconnection of food safety, Public health, Investment and Food Trade’’.

It advised on the usage of food grade stainless steel materials in the fabrication of daily used food processing equipment such as grinding machines.

The communique noted that the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health towards improving the National Food Safety Management system was commended especially the ongoing implementation of the National Policy on Food Safety and its Implementation Strategy.

It also recommended adequate funding, involvement and participation of the private sector and NGOs.

“There must be an efficient and effective system of information transfer between public and private sectors.

“Collaboration, cooperation and communication between Government Ministries, Regulatory Agencies, Support Net, Industry, Consumers, Producers, and Research Institutes need not be over-emphasised,’’ the participants said.

Borrowing from the Brazilian experience, they said that consumers must be empowered by appropriate legislation such that burden of proof could be placed on the company the rather than the consumers.

They said: “Periodic surveillance of levels of contamination and incidences of food borne diseases is strategic to management of public health and should be legislated at all tiers of government.

“Operators in the food industry should begin to look less toward banking industry for funding as there are other means of intelligent funding such as crowd funding and venture capitalists.’’

According to them, the creation of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate in NAFDAC is dedicated toward ensuring safe foods along food value chain.

They, however, said that accreditation of NAFDAC and SON Food Laboratories was commendable but there was need for more laboratories within the value chain.

“Since Government MDAs generate a lot of technical useful data from their activities, the forum advised that this information should be communicated to the larger audience through innovative and effective media.

“This should include traditional town criers, TV drama episodes and not limited to internet medium.

“There should be National Reference Laboratories located in areas of major production, for analytes and contaminants in food and agricultural products,’’ they advocated.

They urged competent authorities in Nigeria to be effective and their reports be reliable through documented official control system and programmes.

The communique also recommended for better collaboration between public and private sectors; as well as increased self-regulation through trade/umbrella association.

The forum strongly advised for regulatory policy for accredited food scientists in every food processing company especially those with high risk.

“In view of incessant reportage implicating pesticides, we encourage promotion of integrated pest management application in pest control.

“In order to promote and encourage safe and quality products, reward systems in form of food awards should be instituted for honouring companies that have done well yearly.

“We advocate for provision of funds and infrastructure for surveillance, enforcement and laboratory investigation since laboratory support is critical,’’ the communique said.

The forum also recommended the establishment of more accredited private laboratories across the country to complement the existing government laboratories.

Besides, the communique advised that UNIDO should consider organising subsequent Food Safety and Investment Forums in Nigeria to boost safe food production.

The forum was attended by the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development and Health as well as the representatives of the ministers of Environment; Industry, Trade and Investment; Science and Technology.

Also in attendance were the Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Coordinating Director of Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS); and representatives of the directors-general of SON and CPC.

The National President of Nigerian Institute of Science and Technology (NIFST), who also doubled as the Chairman of the Council of Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), UNIDO, WHO, MSMEs, NGOs, private sectors and the media were also in attendance.