FG Unveils Revised National Policy On Food Safety And Quality

Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and inaugurated four technical working groups (TWGs) to drive food safety efforts.

Gatekeepers News reports that the launch, which coincided with the 2024 World Food Safety Day, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s regulatory environment and risk-based food safety systems.

Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the importance of effective communication, capacity building, and strategic partnerships among stakeholders.

“The TWGs will provide expertise and leadership to drive these efforts,” he said.

The four TWGs focus on risk-based regulations, risk analysis, food and sanitary and phytosanitary inspection, traceability, education, and research.

Pate noted that the creation of the TWGs was approved in January 2024 and that the ministry has meticulously revised the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its implementation plan.

Kelly Scavella, Programme Manager of USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, highlighted the partnership between the USDA-FAS and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to build food safety systems that benefit consumers, producers, and regulators.

“The TWGs will modernize Nigeria’s food safety regulatory framework in line with international best practices,” she said.

The stakeholders recommended the establishment of technical working groups comprising experts from public, private, and academic sectors to support the development of science-based regulations.

The National Assembly passed the Food Safety and Quality Bill in 2023, and the authorities continued to advance the modernization agenda by reconvening stakeholders for an expertise coordination workshop in November 2023.

The revised policy addresses critical areas, including risk analysis, emerging contaminants, and foodborne disease surveillance and response systems.

Pate emphasized that preparedness is key to ensuring food safety, and the government remains committed to ensuring safe and reliable access to food in Nigeria.