In an effort to promote food safety, the government of Oyo State has followed in the footsteps of Lagos State by banning the use of styrofoam for food packaging and storage.
To enforce this new regulation, the Ministry of Health has established the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force. The initiative was announced by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, during a Food Safety Stakeholders Forum held at the Ministry’s Conference Room.
The main goal of the Task Force is to educate and raise awareness among individuals involved in the food industry about the importance of adhering to food safety standards set by the government. Dr. Ajetunmobi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, emphasized that prevention is better and more cost-effective than treatment, urging people to strictly comply with food regulations to safeguard lives within the State.
Food poisoning, the improper use of chemicals in food production and processing, and other unethical practices carried out by food business operators have become significant public health concerns in Oyo State. To address these issues, the Directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services, responsible for regulating food business operations and ensuring the provision of safe food for public consumption, is intensifying efforts to monitor and inspect food premises within the State. As part of these measures, the use of styrofoam for food services, storage, and related purposes is also prohibited.
The newly formed Enforcement Task Force comprises representatives 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 others. Mrs. Afusat Akande, Director of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services at the State Ministry of Health, outlined the basic requirements that actors within the food chain must fulfill to obtain certification. These include obtaining routine medical fitness certificates from designated State Government Hospitals, ensuring regular fumigation of production premises by recognized consultants from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and conducting water quality analysis with consultants recognized by the Ministry of Health.
The Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force, led by Permanent Secretary Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, has committed to collaborating with the Ministry to achieve its objective of promoting food safety throughout the State.
