Food Hygiene Initiative of Nigeria (FHIN) has beckoned on the Federal Government and policymakers to implement laws and policies that will guarantee food safety in the country.
FHIN’s Director General, Mr Nicholas Karimu, made the call in Abuja, during the graduation of about 350 of its officers on Food Preservation, Administration and Safety Practices.
Mr Karimu revealed that the three-week training was conducted at the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp Academy, Sauka, Airport Road, Abuja.
The director-general said the essence of the training was to educate and train food handlers, operators and administrators of the hygiene and safety practices across the country.
According to him, the overall goal of food hygiene initiative is the achievement of safety practices to prevent food related diseases.
“We want the government, especially the policy makers, to make laws and policies that can guarantee food safety in the country," Karimu said.
“The bill seeks among other things the provision for the protection, promotion and fulfillment of the rights of Nigerians to have access to safe food and water.
“We therefore call on our lawmakers to give the bill a quick hearing and passage,” he added.
He said such laws and policies were long overdue, and that if implemented, it would go a long way in promoting confidence in food items produced in the country.
In his remark, Dr Idris Musa, representing the Director-General of NAFDAC congratulated the officers for exhibiting great commitment and zeal during the training.
He said his organisation (NAFDAC) will cooperate with the FHIN officers to ensure food safety and handling in the country.
Musa Abdul, speaking on behalf of other trainees, appreciated the organisation for the successful completion of the training and promised that they would be good ambassadors of food hygiene initiative in Nigeria.
