Expert tasks NAFDAC, SON on food quality assurance

By William Jimoh

A Professor of Microbiology University of Lagos, Olusimbo Olugbo-Aboaba has called on the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control(NAFDAC) and the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to deepen efforts on enforcing microbiological standards in Nigeria’s food and drug products.

Prof Aboaba who made this call while delivering an inaugural lecture at the university, on a theme: “Unseen Guests at Table: Unsung Heroes of our Environment, recently in Lagos, noted that just as micro organism contribute positively to human existence and sustenance, mismanaging them can result in countless health disarray of citizens.

According to her, ensuring adequate safety measures regarding microbiological criteria in food manufacturing and usage; will place the stakeholders including the food industries, and government at all levels in a better position to safeguard well-being of the masses.

Her words, “Regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC and SON must enforce microbiological standards in food products. These organisations can partner with universities and research institutes for optimal results for consumer safety.

“Food industries must regularly train their staff on good manufacturing practices and keep abreast of recent developments in pathogen detection and risk assessment.”

Speaking further Olugbo-Aboaba, who maintained that quality assurance must always get priority,   recommends that food industries in the country must exploit the use of the friendly organism in product development, adding that the federal government and all state governments must ensure availability of potable water for all citizens and enforce adequate disposal of domestic, industrial and agricultural wastes.

- Culled from: http://www.vanguardngr.com