By Adedotun Aderoboye
Setting and enforcing clear regulatory standards for processed foods produced by companies has been described as a critical step toward ensuring that food products consumed by Nigerians meet acceptable nutritional and safety standards.
This advice was given by a researcher and lecturer at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Dr. Olabode Efunwoye, in a chat with THE HOPE.
Dr. Efunwoye called for stronger regulation and stricter enforcement of food safety standards in Nigeria, urging government agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to intensify efforts to protect public health.
He said, “To safeguard public health, these regulatory agencies have a huge role to play. Institutions like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have significant roles to play in setting standards for every category of food item.
“This will help enforce regulations. If standards are not set for each category of food item, producers or processors will not know what to work toward. Therefore, having standards will go a long way in ensuring compliance.”
Dr. Efunwoye stressed that regulatory agencies must not only establish food safety and nutritional standards, but also enforce them to ensure that processed food manufacturers comply with approved regulations.
He advised that effective oversight should begin with the establishment of food processing factories through thorough inspections, followed by strict monitoring and regular unannounced visits to verify continued compliance with required standards.
“They must also ensure that they enforce these standards so that producers of processed foods follow regulations and adhere to the approved standards for the nutritional composition of these products.
“To achieve this, they must ensure that proper inspections are carried out when food processing factories are being established. They must ensure compliance with regulations. Frequent random visits to these food processing factories should also be conducted.
“At the same time, random sampling of their products for market surveillance would go a long way toward ensuring compliance with these standards.”
He called on the government to strengthen regulatory agencies by investing in modern testing laboratories and providing the equipment needed for effective food quality monitoring.
Efunwoye noted that inadequate testing facilities remain a major challenge and recommended that fully equipped laboratories for NAFDAC and SON be established in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones.
He also urged the authorities to ensure that individuals and companies found violating food safety regulations are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“The government should strengthen these agencies by expanding and upgrading their testing laboratories. One of the challenges these organizations face is the lack of adequate equipment.
“I recommend that NAFDAC and SON establish comprehensive testing laboratories in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones. In addition, I recommend that violators of food safety regulations be brought to book.
“We have had so many cases where violators were caught, but nothing was done. Punishing them would discourage food processors who cut corners and produce substandard food from engaging in such practices.”
Dr. Efunwoye also urged regulatory agencies to encourage the fortification of processed foods with essential nutrients by establishing clear standards for the practice.
According to him, this would help restore nutrients lost during processing, ensuring that processed foods retain better nutritional value and contribute more effectively to consumers’ health.
“I would advise these regulatory agencies to promote the fortification of processed foods with essential nutrients and set standards for the practice so that whatever nutrients are lost during processing can be reincorporated into these food products along the processing line,” he said.