At the 3rd Food Safety Conference and Exhibition held in Ikeja on Tuesday, the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), in collaboration with major players in the food industry, affirmed the urgent need to treat food safety as a central pillar of public health and consumer protection.
With the theme, “Food Safety: Science in Action,” the event brought together policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders at the NECA Event Centre in Alausa to explore scientific approaches to safe food practices and their long-term implications for public well-being.
Dr. Olugbemiga Aina, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, praised LASCOPA’s leadership in championing food safety as a public priority.
He highlighted the importance of integrating food safety into mainstream discourse, not just as a health issue but also as an economic imperative.
“Food safety is critical to consumer health and overall economic growth. I am confident that the outcomes of this conference will positively influence government policies and reshape stakeholders’ approach to food handling and safety,” Dr. Aina remarked, urging that the conference be institutionalised as a recurring platform for sustained engagement.
Also speaking, the LASCOPA General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, called for a united front in tackling food safety challenges, emphasising that the responsibility lies with everyone in the supply chain—from producers and regulators to retailers and consumers.
“Unsafe food does not only pose health risks but also undermines consumer confidence and economic stability. This conference is designed to deepen awareness and foster collaboration to ensure that food reaching consumers is safe, healthy, and nutritious,” he said.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Umar Garbar, Chairman of the Kano State Consumer Protection Council, commended LASCOPA for maintaining momentum on such a vital issue.
