From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
Enugu State Government has called for proper regulation and monitoring policy in Nigeria to checkmate the frightening cases of food adulteration and contamination in the country.
This is even as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) warned against the same menace and unsafe practices in Nigeria’s food sector, insisting that no nation can prosper while endangering the health of its citizens.
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Making the call yesterday at a one-day sensitisation campaign on food quality standards, safety, regulation and fair business practices organised by the FCCPC at Toscana Hotel, Independent Layout, Enugu, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Patrick Ubru said he was worried about the effect of the menace.
Ubru, who spoke on ‘Food Contamination: Causes and Prevention,’ thanked the FCCPC for the sensitization campaign, noting that Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Mbah was doing so much for the entire healthy life of Enugu people.
The Commissioner disclosed that as part of the state’s commitment to ensure food safety, arrangement has been concluded for the establishment of a food safety agency, adding that it was going to form synergy with NAFDAC for the success of the fight against adulterated food.
Describing food contamination as a threat to both public health and national development, Ubru warned that unsafe agricultural practices and poor storage methods could lead to frequent hospital visits for consumers and rejection of Nigerian agro-products in international markets.
He said: “Health is wealth, and what you eat determines your productivity. We cannot overlook this challenge. Preventing food contamination requires joint responsibility, not only from the government but from every farmer, vendor and consumer.”
Earlier, in his keynote address, FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Bello, expressed the deep concern of the Commission over the growing menace of chemically ripened fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat and unsafe grains.
Bello, who was represented by the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, said: “Food is not merely a commodity; it is a fundamental human right.
“Unsafe food not only endangers lives but also undermines trust in markets, disrupts trade and damages the reputation of businesses. Any operator who places profit over public safety will face the full wrath of the law.”
He highlighted some of the dangerous practices in the food industry, to include the use of calcium carbide for forced ripening, toxic additives, such as bromate and Sudan red colorant, and poor hygiene across the value chain from farms to markets.
All these, he noted, expose consumers to severe health risks and weaken Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness, adding that FCCPC was working closely with agencies, such as NAFDAC, SON, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and state authorities to enforce food safety laws through surveillance, education, sanctions and prosecutions.
In his welcome address, the FCCPC Director of Consumer and Business Education, Mr. Yahaya Garba Kudan, said the commission was committed to empowering consumers and stakeholders with the knowledge to make informed choices and advocate for safer practices.
He said: “Our goal is to equip you with the tools needed to identify adulterated food, understand the dangers of forced ripening and know the avenues available for seeking redress.”
The campaign brought together regulators, industry players, consumer groups, civil society organisations, and market unions, who pledged to collaborate in ensuring safer food systems in the country.
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