In a bid to safeguard consumer health and halt the rising spate of foodborne illnesses, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has counseled food vendors within the food supply chain to abide by the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s five keys of food safety.

Speaking at a forum to commemorate the World Food Safety Day and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Day (MSME) organised by OSOA Food, a non-governmental organisation passionate about maintenance of food hygiene and safety at Bakare Dawodu Bello Market Ifako, Gbagada, Lagos, NAFDAC’s representative, Mr. Aina Olugbenga, urged strict compliance with food safety keys.

Aina enumerated the five food safety keys to include: Keep clean hygiene, separate raw and cooked food, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperature, use safe water and other raw materials.

He urged food vendors to comply maximally with the keys to ensure a safer food for all.

OSOA Food CEO, Mr. Solomon Oyeniran, earlier in his welcome speech, said: “The economic burden of foodborne diseases exceeds $110 billion annually in low and medium income countries due to lost productivity and health care expenses, caused by harmful chemical compounds and pathogens, which in one way or the other, are transferred into the food and consumed.

“Food can be contaminated with an array of hazards: bacteria, chemicals, fungi or parasites which can cause 200 different diseases. These illnesses impact health, livelihoods, education and economies. However, they can be prevented when we are informed and take action.”

Oyeniran hinted that the body has signed an MOU with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take the safer food message round the 774 local governments of Nigeria. He said the body has written to the Lagos State Ministry of Health in this respect and was still awaiting its response.

“This NGO considers this as a step in the right direction given the population of the state and having been the nerve centre of the nation’s economic hub,” he added.

The event, which enjoyed the massive collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lagos State Waste Management Agency, targeted a reorientation of food vendors on ensuring safe practices in their daily dealings.

A delegation from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, led by Mrs. Kayode Tomilayo, harped on the importance of safe food consumption, while urging food vendors to take food hygiene more seriously.