Food Product Claims: What does this really mean?

#FoodSafety. A woman preparing a local favorite in Lagos state. 

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.  It is common knowledge that the condition of foods from the farms and handling by food processors are major determinants of nutritional status of a given society.   But how safe is food in the country today?

Am concerned about the safety of the people, in the aspect of food. As a graduate of food science and technology, my passion is to contribute to food security especially in Africa. Food safety is one aspect of food security that needs more emphasis. Most times I wonder why issues on food safety and its training are mostly channeled to the food industries with less attention on the street food vendors and food handlers, yet street food supply is an important component of food supply chain and a potential vehicle for food borne illnesses.

In some developing countries like Nigeria, street foods meet the food demand of the urban population. An average man in Nigeria, usually buys ready-to-eat foods from street food vendors without the #assurance that the food was hygienically prepared. Knowing that these vendors and handlers can't be stopped from earning their living from their petty businesses, they can be taught on how to hygienically prepare and present their items to the consumers. However, to avoid and prevent the rate of food borne illnesses in Nigeria, there is need for a grassroots sensitization and training programs for food vendors and handlers in various localities and communities in order to ensure food safety, hygiene practices, and improve public health.

The questions is #what can be done to improve food safety in Nigeria? And then #how and #who can achieve this?  I am Chinaza and #foodsafety is my passion🙋.

We are hoping to train 5,000 street food vendors and handlers in selected rural and urban areas in Nigeria, and we hope to attract the interest of the Local, State and Federal Government of Nigeria, and international food regulatory bodies for more sustainable solutions (proper monitoring and control) for the safety of our street vended foods.

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