As part of its efforts to uphold food safety standards in the State, the Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Health has inaugurated the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force to oversee the enforcement of food safety rules and regulations in the State.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi , stated this at the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum organized to sensitize the actors along the food chain on the importance attached to the implementation of food safety standards by the government, held at the Conference Room of the Ministry.
The Commissioner , who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health , Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, noted that prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence there is a need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives by taking steps to prevent, detect and reduce food-borne risks in the State.
She explained that the menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, and packaging as well as other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become great public health concerns in the State.
According to her,”The directorate of Food, Water and Laboratory Services is saddled with the responsibility to regulate Food Business Operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the State , planned to double her efforts to monitor/inspect Food Business premises in the State”
“Consequently, the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in that State is also banned.
“The Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force which comprises members from the State Food Safety Management Committee, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), the Association of Canteen Workers, and a host of others are expected to work together to achieve a common goal , which is food safety and this remains a collective responsibility.
The Director, of Food, Water and Laboratory Services, State Ministry of Health, Mrs.Afusat Akande, highlighted the basic requirements for the actors along the food chain to meet before they can be certified which includes routine medical fitness certificates from designated State Government Hospitals; Evidence of regular fumigation of production premises by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources recognized consultant; Water Quality Analysis by the Ministry of Health recognized consultant; etc.
The Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Taskforce headed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, promised to work with the Ministry to achieve its objective of food safety in the State.
The event was attended by Stakeholders from different Food Business Operators, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); the Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST); NPF; the Association of Table Water Producers; representatives from Government MDAs amongst others.
