A Food Consultant and Managing Director, of Funta Services Nigeria Limited, John Tehinse has tasked food vendors with proper food safety measures to tackle consumption of contaminated food by the public.
The consultant made the call at a two-day training organised for 50 food vendors on Basic and Advanced Food Safety and Hygiene Best Practices, on Wednesday in Lafia.
The training was organised by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
He identified improper agricultural practices, polluted environment, poor hygiene, misuse of chemicals and contaminated raw materials as factors responsible for the rise in unsafe food in the society.
He said other factors responsible for unsafe food include, lack of preventive control in food processing, untrained personnel, inadequate and improper storage, adulterated food and food fraud, among others.
“Processors should ensure that food is produced and handled in an environment that minimises the presence of contaminants.
“Food production should be subjected to regulation and control for proper monitoring, corrective actions, verification and documentation.
“Appropriate communication about the food process should be maintained among the relevant parties to ensure food safety and stability across the entire value chain,” he said.
The expert explained that food safety involves producing, handling, storing and preparing food in a manner that would not be contaminated, hence preventing the spread of foodborne diseases.
He added that safe food increases consumers’ confidence in the supply source and improves the earnings of the processors.
Speaking, a retired Director from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs Patricia Monwuble advised processors to register their businesses for proper identification.
Monwuble, who is now a Senior Associate, at Funta Services Nigeria Ltd, said that the regulators would provide the producers with the necessary guidance to maintain the standards and safety of food products.
She advised processors to situate their businesses in a cleaner and safer location.
Participants in the training were drawn from four Local Governments Areas of Benue and Nasarawa State.
NAN
