Amid rising concerns over food contamination, a Nigerian scientist, Damilare Adeyemi, has called on the Federal Government to revise food safety policies to include phage technology, an innovation already gaining traction globally.
Adeyemi, who developed a lytic bacteriophage named KFS-EC3 during his postgraduate research in South Korea, explained that phages, often described as “good viruses,” can naturally attack and kill harmful bacteria without harming humans, animals, or plants.
He noted that KFS-EC3 is distinct for its ability to simultaneously target E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella, the three leading causes of food-borne illnesses. Unlike chemical disinfectants, phages multiply inside their bacterial targets until the bacteria are destroyed.
“The virus remains effective in hot conditions, across varying pH levels, and even without refrigeration.
That makes it perfect for Nigeria’s markets, abattoirs, and bukas. And because it works at very low doses, it can be affordable at scale,” Adeyemi said.
Warning that food poisoning is a “silent health crisis,” he said millions of Nigerians are daily exposed to contaminated meals from roadside grills, open markets, and household kitchens. Children under five, he added, are the most vulnerable.
Adeyemi cited studies showing poultry meat in Ibadan contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella due to cross-contamination, while Shigella outbreaks linked to poor hygiene among food handlers have been repeatedly recorded in Nigeria.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), unsafe food causes over 91 million cases of foodborne diseases and 137,000 deaths yearly in Africa, with children under five accounting for nearly a third of fatalities. Adeyemi stressed that Nigeria, with its large population and rapid urbanisation, bears a significant portion of this burden.
He argued that despite government training programmes and inspections, weak enforcement limits their impact. “Many food handlers lack formal training, bleach rinses are unreliable, and pesticide misuse in crops continues to create tougher bacteria. We cannot keep relying on quick fixes,” he said.
Adeyemi emphasised that phage-based solutions should complement, not replace, existing hygiene practices. He also urged public awareness, noting that habits such as proper handwashing, thorough cooking of meat, and avoiding prolonged storage of cooked meals could significantly reduce risks.
He concluded that Nigeria could pioneer the use of phage technology in Africa if it acts early. “This is not just about science in the lab. It is about putting safe, affordable tools into the places where Nigerians actually eat, bukas, markets, and abattoirs. If we act now, we can prevent needless deaths and protect future generations,” he said.
