THE Association of Drinks and Food Operators of Nigeria, ADFON, is collaborating with Idemili North Local Government Environmental Health Agency to promote food hygiene and cleanliness at eateries.

The idea is to eradicate food poisoning from the Idemili North Local government.

The association at a one-day workshop in the local government secretariat in Ogidi, urged its members to adopt cleanliness  and curtail using plenty of spices and other ingredients in preparing food.

Declaring the seminar open, Ifeyinwa Oranye, director, Environmental Health, Idemili North LGA, explained the importance of medical certificate of fitness and healthy food operators, especially on tuberculosis.

She emphasised that one could contact tuberculosis through foods consumed at eateries, from saliva of operators, sources of water supply and inappropriate disposal of refuse.

“In essence, food hygiene is the cleanliness and careful handling of foods, right from the farm to the table.’’

Agatha Aniazoka, chairperson, ADFON Anambra, noted that the seminar was essentially aimed at ensuring sanitisation of food industry in Nigeria, food production environment as well as minimising use of spices and other condiments. “This is done to control food poisoning in our restaurants for healthy living.’’

In a speech, Joseph Duruoha, senior assistant on Tertiary Education,  acquainted the participants with the standard operating procedure in food handling to stem contamination, while promoting public health.

“Foods contain nutritious substances that can be consumed by human beings, especially through eating in order to sustain life. It is of different classes and sources, basically plants and animals which can be contaminated either chemically or biologically,’’ she said.

Food poisoning occurs when it is corrupted through the soil, chemical composition, natural sources, during processing, dirty utensils, environmental pollution, physical contamination and poor handling.

Duruoha emphasised that chemical contamination could occur through the use of pesticides during storage, preservation and processing as foods.

“There should be carefulness in handling of foods and thorough washing of utensils because urine or faeces from rodent’s can be a source of contamination of foods.

“Food hygiene is vital for public health; it is the science and act of preventing diseases and improving health in communities,’’ she said.

The workshop featured free medical tests for tuberculosis on food operators, optional HIV tests, free face masks, Mectizan drugs for eye and warm expellers.

Njideka Okpala, supervisor (Tuberculosis), Idemili North LGA, and Stella Akabuike, disease surveillance officer, conducted the medical tests at seminar.

– Apr. 5, 2019 @ 15:29 GMT |