An estimated 50 million cases of foodborne illnesses and 53,000 related deaths occur annually in Nigeria, according to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.
Udeh disclosed the figures on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing concerns over unsafe food production and consumption. He also cited World Health Organisation figures showing that 866 million people suffered foodborne illnesses globally in 2021, resulting in 1.52 million deaths, The Sun reported.
The minister referenced incidents in Kogi and Ondo states involving fatalities linked to contaminated food and locally prepared drinks. Five members of a family reportedly died in Kogi in August after consuming fufu processed from cassava flour, while 49 people died in Ondo in September following the consumption of methanol-contaminated alcoholic and herbal drinks.
At the event, the Registrar of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST), Mrs Veronica Ezeh, identified the use of industrial chemicals and pharmaceutical products in food preparation as major safety concerns.
She listed the application of Sniper to beans and grains, calcium carbide for artificial fruit ripening, paracetamol for tenderising meat, detergents and bleaching agents in cassava processing, and Sudan IV dye in palm oil adulteration.
Ezeh proposed several measures to address the problem, including mandatory food packaging and sealing, improved coordination among regulatory agencies and the adoption of modern food safety technologies.
She also called for the creation of food science and technology professional positions across federal, state and local government institutions, as well as the implementation of NiCFoST’s Food Safety Procedure Manual.
Udeh said the Federal Government would work with the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney-General to prosecute individuals responsible for food contamination and adulteration. He stated that convictions under the relevant laws could attract prison terms of six months to two years.
Ezeh urged governments at all levels to recruit qualified food science and technology professionals, noting that Nigeria produces more than 3,000 graduates in the discipline annually.
