FG Urges Action against Unprofessional Practices in Nigeria’s Food Value Chains

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The federal government has called for the mitigation of unprofessional practices and mismanagement in Nigeria’s food value chains, which have lingered for too long in the country.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a sensitisation forum, the Registrar/CEO of Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST), Ms. Veronica Ezeh, highlighted the detrimental impact of substandard food production on industrialisation plans, export potential, and the rise of preventable foodborne diseases.

Ezeh noted that NiCFoST, which is the first council in sub-Saharan Africa regulating food science and technology, is committed to efficiently manage various segments of the country’s food value chain and supply systems.

She stressed the importance of gathering feedback from stakeholders at all levels to enhance food safety measures and urged transparency, particularly at the grassroots level, for a comprehensive approach.

She said: “We are determined to live our vision which is efficient professional management of the various segments of the Nigerian food value chains and supply systems following current scientific practices for food security and our mission which is to develop and promote the highest standards in the training and practice of the Food Science and Technology profession in Nigeria.

“To achieve the vision and mission of the council, it became imperative that the council collaborate with the grass root food commodities’ producers and all, hitherto, involved in their postharvest handlings to include marketing and packaging.

“This sensitisation is aimed at ensuring that the regulation of food at the LGAs is carried out according to world best operating practices/procedures as done internationally so our food or food products can be safe for Nigerians and compete favorably with the ones outside of Nigeria and not rejected when exported.

“So NICFOST will rely on the Ministries of Agriculture (Federal and State including the Ministries of Health) for the improvement of food safety practices right from the farm.

“We know that the final food products or farm commodities (either consumed as produced or processed) depends on good agricultural practices. You, the primary producers, are very important in the food value chain. We are soliciting for your support for best food standards in Nigeria.”