During a Food and Feed Safety Expertise Coordination workshop in Abuja, the Councilor for Agriculture Affairs at the USDA, Christopher Bielecki, emphasized that Exporters often face challenges due to Insufficient Documentation on Food Safety, leading to a significant rate of rejection of Nigerian Agricultural Products in the Global Market, including the United States.
Bielecki noted that while this Issue isn’t exclusive to Nigeria, the USDA is working towards ensuring that Food and Agricultural Exporters adhere to the Importing Regulations and Laws concerning Food Safety in the U.S.
He emphasized that an Improved focus on Food Safety would not only minimize rejections and stimulate Trade but also enhance Nigeria’s Food and Agricultural Trade, increase GDP, and bolster Foreign reserves.
In a deliberate effort to attain National health security status, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed the Ministry’s plan to validate the revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality.
The Initiative aims to launch the first National Integrated Guidelines for Foodborne Disease Surveillance and Response.
Pate highlighted the importance of ensuring that Foods consumed are safe, healthy, and nutritious, emphasizing the importance of Collaboration among relevant Agencies to support the Ministry’s commitment to effective Policies, regulations, and Monitoring systems for continuous Improvement in Food Safety standards and Practices.
The Chief Executive Officer (designate) of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Dr. Tayo Aduloju, stressed the critical importance of upholding the highest Food Safety standards in Nigeria.
Aduloju underlined the need for strengthened regulatory frameworks and collective expertise to enhance the overall quality of Food and Feed in the Country. Recognizing the implication of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Aduloju said the necessity of reforming Food and Feed Safety systems in Nigeria to effectively benefit from the Trade agreement.
