The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stakeholders in the food sector and partners have revised the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its implementation plan.

The revised policy was presented on Friday in Abuja as part of activities to commemorate 2024 World Food Safety Day with the theme “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected.”

The 2024 theme draws attention to food safety management and underlines the importance of being prepared for food safety incidents, no matter how mild or severe.

Also, four inter-sectoral technical working groups (TWGs) were inaugurated to provide expertise and leadership to drive effective communication, capacity building and strategic partnerships among stakeholders.

It is part of continued efforts to strengthen and harmonise Nigeria’s regulatory environment and risk-based food safety systems while improving industry engagement in national regulatory processes and compliance with international food safety standards.

The TWGs are focused on risk-based regulations and risk analysis in food and feed safety, food and sanitary and phytosanitary inspection, traceability and supporting technologies, and education and research.

In his address, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, said the policy, rooted in the one health approach, addresses a spectrum of critical areas.

Represented by the permanent secretary, Daju Kachollom, Mr Pate said it encompassed the principles of risk analysis.

“Moving beyond mere food safety, the policy propels us towards a future where the food we consume is not only safe but essentially healthy.

“It lays out strategic plans to reduce the intake of salt, trans fatty acids, sugar, and alcohol, among others.

“By ensuring that our diets are healthful, we aim to alleviate the growing burden of non-communicable diseases that afflict our country,” he added.

Mr Pate also said the policy was a testament to the federal government’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of citizens.

He, however, called on all citizens to actively contribute to the preservation of the purity of food.

“Yet, the implementation of this policy is not a solitary journey. It demands the concerted efforts of all parties at both national and subnational levels.

“This includes our diligent farmers who nurture the soil, the regulators who forge the guidelines, the scientists whose innovations enhance safety, and the consumers who make informed choices with every purchase and every bite,” the minister said.

Speaking to the theme of the day, he said it was a clarion call to action, a reminder that vigilance was the guardian of the nation’s sustenance.

He said, “We live in a world of unpredictability, where the unexpected lurks around every corner.

“It is not just the menace of foodborne diseases that we battle, but the unforeseen events that can compromise the integrity of our food supply.

“From natural disasters that devastate crops to the menacing power of climate change, from the accidental contamination of a trusted food source to deliberate adulteration for profit, the threats are as varied as they are frightening.”

The minister, however, assured that the federal government would explore public-private partnerships, leverage technology, and prioritise essential services for food safety.

One of the partners, Kelly Scavella, programme manager, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS), said, “The agency was partnering with the ministry and other Nigerian stakeholders to help build food safety systems that are relevant to consumers, producers and regulators.’’

She said TWGs were set up to modernise Nigeria’s food safety regulatory framework in line with international best practices to address food safety concerns and facilitate the development of a strong agriculture and food industry.

Other partners are the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA), the University of Missouri’s Africa Food Safety Initiative (AFSI) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

World Food Safety Day, marked on June 7 every year, is in response to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) record.

The record states that every year, nearly one in 10 people in the world, an estimated 600 million people fall ill and 420,000 die after eating food contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical substances. 

(NAN)