The Osun State Government has officially adopted the National Policy on Food Safety and Implementation Strategy, 2014.
This decision, announced on Wednesday by Governor Ademola Adeleke at the launch of the policy document, aims to safeguard residents from the dangers of consuming contaminated food.
Governor Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Jola Akintola, emphasised the importance of a modern and effective national food safety system.
He explained that the National Policy on Food Safety and Implementation Strategy (NPFSIS) was developed to address this need.
“The NPFSIS is a scientific approach encompassing the handling, preparation, storage, and transportation of food to prevent food-borne illnesses,” said Commissioner Akintola. “It is our moral and legal responsibility to protect the public from the devastating consequences of unsafe food and water, which can lead to disease, disability, and even death.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, highlighted the crucial role of collaboration with development partners like WHO, UNICEF, NCDC, and NAFDAC to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of the policy.
Remarking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Isiaka Adekunle, delivered the welcome address.
He emphasised the importance of safe food consumption for building immunity against diseases, contrasting it with the harmful effects of unsafe food, which can lead to organ failure and death.
“This adoption aligns with the resolutions from the 58th meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) held in Sokoto State in 2016,” He added.
