NAN-H-6
Expiry
By Perpetua Onuegbu
Abuja, Jan. 26, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) has advised Nigerians not to buy canned foods without first checking the expiry dates on them.
The Chairman, Abuja Chapter of the institute, Mr Funsho Tehinse, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Tehinse stated that the printing of expiry date on products is the manufacturers’ way of telling consumers that the foods in question can no longer be safe for consumption after a particular period of time.
Cue in audio 1 (Tehinse)
“Expiry date is one of the things that producers or manufacturers want to communicate to the eventual consumer.
“It means that by that expiry date, the safety and quality of a product can no longer be guaranteed. That is what we mean by expiry date.
“And when a date is given under the term `Best Before’ or `Expiry Best Before’, it means that that product is better used before that date.
“So date is just a guide telling consumers that they should not buy any product that is expired.
“Before you buy any product in the grocery store, ensure that you read the tiny labels, the expiry dates first and foremost.
“Check the cans – if it is canned products you’re buying – to see if it is blown or damaged.
“If it is damaged, even if the price is reduced, don’t buy it, because contaminated food and the uncontaminated food test the same.“
Cue out audio 1
Tehinse, who is also a food expert with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), further advised consumers not to by foodstuffs that are left in the open, because of their exposure to bacteria through dust.
Cue in audio 2 (Tehinse)
“In Nigeria today, most of our markets are open and you have dust everywhere particularly in the northern parts of the country where you have dust everywhere.
“Dust carries a lot of bacteria or fungi and when they grow on food when the condition is right, they start to grow.
“So don’t buy food that is left open.
“Buy garri that is packaged or covered; buy rice that is covered; don’t buy flour in measures, because it has been exposed and in the matter of exposure you don’t know what has got in contact with it.
“So these are the various safety tips you can use to make sure that what you are buying is safe for consumption.
“Immediately you purchase in measures and you take it home, buy a basin that has a cover and put your garri in a covered vessel.
“Don’t leave it open, because if you do, there is the likelihood that cockroaches and rats will contaminate it.’’
Cue out audio 2
The expert further urged Nigerians to always put protective covering over essential household commodities such as sugar, salt and pepper.
“Vegetables should be put in water proof containers and refrigerated. Don’t leave any food open in your kitchen or on the dining table.
“Cover any food you are not eating and put it in the refrigerator and warm the food the next time you want to eat it.
“These are some of the food safety tips that you can apply in order to ensure food safety.’’
NAN reports that the Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology is a body of professionals that is responsible for safety in food technology and production. (NAN)
PUO/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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