The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has intensified efforts to curb the prevalence of aflatoxins in locally processed food products destined for export markets.
The Executive Director of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this during a one-day training on “Minimising Aflatoxin Contamination in Agricultural Produce” held in Owerri on Thursday.
Represented by the NEPC Coordinator in Imo State, Mr. Anthony Ajuruchi, Ayeni urged farmers and food processors to remain vigilant, particularly during post-harvest handling, where contamination risks are highest.
Aflatoxins—highly toxic and carcinogenic compounds produced by fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus—commonly contaminate agricultural produce and pose serious health and trade risks.
She emphasised the importance of soil health, noting that sustainable crop production begins with proper soil management.
“We must care for the soil the way we care for ourselves because plants derive most of their nutrients from it. We must therefore detoxify not just the harvested produce but also the soil,” she said.
Also speaking, Clifford Owuamanam of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri warned that aflatoxin exposure can severely damage vital organs, including the liver and kidneys.
Owuamanam, who heads the Department of Food Science and Technology, described aflatoxins as secondary metabolites produced by mould fungi. He noted that contamination can be effectively reduced through prompt drying after harvest, regular monitoring of stored grains, and the use of appropriate biological and chemical pest control methods.
In his remarks, the Head of Produce Department at the Imo State Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment, Mr. Canice Nze, said the state’s task force would continue to enforce standards to ensure only quality products are traded within and outside the state.
Meanwhile, Mr. Justice Alihie, Chief Executive Officer of Do It Yourself, an agricultural consulting firm, stressed the need for proper disposal of hazardous materials, particularly lead-containing items such as batteries, to prevent soil contamination and safeguard agricultural productivity.
