FG policy will engender confidence in local produce ―Adewole

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has asserted confidence that the National policy on food safety would help improve the acceptance of Nigerian food produce in international communities and increase Nigerians confidence in local produce.

Speaking at a sensitization programme held in Ibadan, on the National Policy of the Federal government, Adewole decried that some Nigerians preferred to buy imported food owing to the general perception of Nigerian products being poor in quality and safety.

Represented by the Director, Food and Drug services department in the ministry of health, Mrs Anthonia Opara, Adewole said the federal government was resolved to ensuring that the stakeholders in the food value chain develop a culture of food safety and reduce food contamination.

Lamenting that the country overtime was plagued by preventable food borne diseases like Cholera, Lassa fever, owing to poor food safety culture, he said the federal government was resolved to ensuring farmers, manufacturers, distributors and others on the food supply chain, at all levels of government, imbibe food safety practices.

In his remarks, Food Safety Expert, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Mr John Tehinse said implementation of the national policy on food safety across ministries and levels of government will improve the quality and safety of Nigerian products and services, guard against consumption of contaminated food and bring about the modernisation of food control system, policies, bodies that regulate food safety.

Also speaking, Media Consultant, National Quality Infrastructure Programme, Mrs Moji Makanjuola said the policy aimed at building a culture of quality among Nigerians.

Noting that Nigeria was endowed with many natural resources, she averred that the country should be exporting products needed by Africa and beyond.

The sensitization programme was attended by policy makers, farmers, bakers, caterers, transporters, among others on the food supply chain.