Capacity building improves food safety, importation – CPC
NAN-H-55
Safety
By Wunmi Ashafa Lagos, Feb. 8 ,2017 (NAN) The Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Dupe Atoki, on Wednesday said capacity building would provide the needed opportunity to enhance safety of foods produced in and imported into the country.
Atoki, represented by the Director, Quality Assurance and Development, CPC, said this at the just concluded 1st Nigeria Food Safety and Investment Forum in Lagos.
According to her, regulatory agencies will also have to expand their technical scientific regulatory capacity for effective regulations.
She said that no single government agency, private sector entity or consumer association could effectively ensure food safety in the globalised food supply chain.
The director-general said that could also enhance competitiveness and ensure fair practices in trade.
The CPC boss said that development of professional and scientific bases would promote the country’s export trade, increase in consumer choice, good health and value for money.
“The country should ensure harmonisation of players in food safety team as well as ensure prompt and adequate information sharing among members of the food team.
“Also, massive campaign and public enlightenment on food safety is needed for attitudinal change in consumers,” she said.
On industry responsibility and application of appropriate technology in food safety, she said that there was need to invest in physical and managerial resources to enable implementation control.
According to her, manufacturers should use modern quality management systems to ensure that food processing consistently delivers the desired level of safety. (NAN)
AWA/VIV/MST
Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola