The Coordinator, of Anambra State Food Safety and Hygiene, Dr Rose Amasiani has identified unsafe food and poor hygiene as major threats to human health.
She said this at the inauguration of the Committee on Food Safety, Hygiene and Water, Sanitation, organised by the state’s Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Association of Food Vendors in Awka on Monday.
She, therefore, stressed the need to safeguard the quality and safety of foods for both domestic consumption and export to prevent food-borne illnesses.
According to her, food-borne illnesses can lead to food poisoning and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
She explained that “food-borne illnesses may result from the consumption of food contaminated by microbial pathogens, toxic chemicals, physical contaminants and allergens.
“The contamination may arise from poor or careless food handling practices at any stage in the food supply chain – from the farm to the dining table.
“It can also lead to mild, serious or life-threatening illnesses such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, gastro-intestinal disorders and sometimes may result to death.”
She added that food-borne illnesses could reduce economic activities and increase national poverty “because it is only healthy individuals that can make healthy economies, while unhealthy persons are unproductive and cannot contribute to the economy.”
The coordinator, who said that more than 50 per cent of Nigerians, including Anambra residents, may have to eat outside their homes in the course of their daily activities at least once a day, advocated food safety standards.
She said “poor knowledge of food safety standards by food vendors can predispose unsuspecting consumers to health challenges.
“The inauguration of this committee will see to the success of food safety, water sanitation and hygiene programmes in Anambra to prevent,
reduce or eliminate risk of contaminated foods.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the government recognised the importance of water sanitation and hygiene, which prompted the ongoing provision of potable water in the state.
Obidike, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Obiageli Uchebo urged the committee to generate an action plan and take their mandate seriously.
The Chairman of, Food Vendors Association of Nigeria, Anambra chapter, Mr Obi Madubugwu, pledged the association’s commitment to upholding food safety standards.
NAN
