Review of Food Safety Policy in Nigeria

doi:10.7176/jlpg/110-07

Abstract

Food safety is an integral part of food and nutrition security. Foodborne diseases (FBD) can occur when food safety measures are not applied. Unfortunately, most of the burden of foodborne illness is shouldered by children under five years of age and people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The foundation of food safety is built upon a quality-safety culture, compliance with food laws, regulation, policy, traceability, and food safety management systems encompassing documentation, training, auditing, reporting and corrective action. This paper reviews four existing national policy documents in Nigeria, three of which include food safety components. The fourth document, the National Policy on Food Safety and Its Implementation Strategy (NPFSIS), is Nigeria’s principal food safety policy document and was reviewed in more detail. This review focuses on the situational and analytical concepts of the policy framework of the National Food Safety System (NFSS) in Nigeria. It also examines the status of the implementation of the NPFSIS 2014 and its alignment with international best practices. It was undertaken to assess existing food safety policy documents in Nigeria, identify gaps, make recommendations, and proffer solutions. Keywords: food safety, policy, foodborne diseases, gaps, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/110-07 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

Highlights

In 2010 the global burden of foodborne disease (FBD) was estimated at 600 million illnesses and 420,000 premature deaths
Food safety systems can apply to private sector approaches to controlling food safety hazards within a food chain, or to businesses seeking to ensure that their food products are safe for consumption (FAO & WHO 2007)
This review focuses on the situational and analytical concepts of the policy framework of the National Food Safety System (NFSS) in Nigeria and examines the status of the implementation of the NPFSIS 2014 and its alignment with international best practices

Summary

Introduction

In 2010 the global burden of foodborne disease (FBD) was estimated at 600 million illnesses and 420,000 premature deaths. NPFSIS 2014 aims to integrate and harmonize all existing laws, standards and codes that regulate food safety practices in Nigeria, redefine and coordinate existing food control infrastructures at various levels of government and reduce areas of overlap and conflict It is widely felt by thought leaders and practitioners that the implementation of the policy would minimize foodborne disease outbreaks attributed to poor safety practices and reduce the overall prevalence of foodborne illness. 3.1 Scope NPFSIS 2014 provides a framework for the identification of national food safety objectives and the formulation of suitable laws, regulations and guidelines aimed at achieving international best practices in all sectors of the food supply chain It establishes an early warning system to detect, trace and prevent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses before they spread. Lapses in the implementation of NPFSIS 2014 can be attributed to the still undeveloped master action plan; it is very important to develop a master action plan that outlines the implementation process at all levels of the government-Federal, State and Local Government Area Councils

Conclusion

Agriculture Federal

Findings

Budget and National Planning