The recent Gender and Inclusion Summit 2023 (GS-23) in Abuja has brought to light a distressing revelation: over 200,000 Nigerians lose their lives to food poisoning annually. This revelation has sparked deep concern among stakeholders from diverse sectors.

Addressing the summit, Osenega Orokpo, a prominent social media influencer and the wife of Apostle Michael Orokpo, highlighted the high prevalence of food poisoning in Nigeria and other African countries. She attributed this dire situation to unsafe food preparation and preservation practices, stemming from inadequate processing and a lack of robust monitoring systems.

Stakeholders at the summit expressed alarm over the lethal impact of unsafe and unscrupulous practices such as the use of harmful chemicals like sniper for storing and preserving agricultural commodities, including grains like maize and beans. They also identified other perilous practices including the use of carbide to hasten fruit ripening, meat tenderizing with paracetamol by food vendors, formaldehyde usage in fish preservation, hormone injections in poultry, and harmful food coloring, among others.

Emphasizing the urgent need for resilient food systems to combat the scourge of food poisoning, Osenega Orokpo proposed proactive interventions and advocated for the incorporation of safety measures throughout the entire food supply chain. She underscored the pivotal role of women in the food value chain, noting that approximately 47% of farmers involved in the food sector were women. She stressed the importance of implementing comprehensive training models across the entire spectrum of food production, from farms to factories.

Mr. Udeme Ufot, Chairman of the NESG Policy and Innovation Centre, highlighted the summit’s role as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and the development of inclusive strategies to address disparities in Nigeria.

Eva Edwards, a director at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), emphasized that food-borne diseases disproportionately affect vulnerable segments of the population, including infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. She raised concerns about the inappropriate use of agrochemicals such as snipers in storing and preserving agricultural commodities, warning of the negative health consequences.

In response to these alarming trends, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, launched a campaign against drug hawking and the ripening of fruits with harmful chemicals like calcium carbide, highlighting the potential health risks such as cancer, heart, kidney, and liver failures associated with consuming such fruits.

Jennifer Egbo, an expert in food science and nutrition, identified improper processing, preservation, and serving of food as significant contributors to the crisis of food poisoning. She stressed the imperative of raising awareness and providing comprehensive training to address these challenges and prevent the contamination of food.

Chinonso Ezenwako, a Nutritionist and Dietician based in the United States, echoed the need for heightened government involvement in regulating food preparation, including imported foods. Training and continual education for individuals involved in food processing were underscored as critical measures for reducing incidents of food poisoning.

Expressing deep concern, Mr. Anthony Ugwuoke emphasized the necessity of decisive and immediate action to address the alarming prevalence of food poisoning. He stressed the importance of educating farmers and business owners about the dangers of using harmful agrochemicals and the pivotal role of collaboration in ensuring food safety for all.

Dr. Pogu Bitrus delved into the shift from traditional farming techniques to modern methods, attributing a significant portion of the food poisoning crisis to this transition. He lamented the presence of harmful chemicals in both locally produced and imported foods and urged a return to safer, organic methods of food production, emphasizing the critical need for stringent regulatory oversight.

These impassioned responses underscore the gravity of the situation and the imperative for swift, collective action to address the rampant scourge of food poisoning in Nigeria. The words of these stakeholders serve as a clarion call, urging a concerted effort to safeguard the nation’s food supply and protect the health and well-being of its citizens.

The Silent Epidemic: Calls for Improved Food Safety and Hygiene in Nigeria

As the world battles against visible health crises, a silent epidemic quietly claims the lives of over 200,000 Nigerians annually. The insidious culprit? Food poisoning. In a recent symposium, prominent voices from various sectors passionately raised their concerns about the glaring neglect of food safety and hygiene standards in Nigeria.

Lamenting the gradual decline of vigilance over personal and public hygiene, Dr. Chidi Amadi of the National Food and Health Commission articulated the simmering concerns. “Our hygiene has depreciated. We no longer have people to ensure that we are living hygienically and preparing meals in safe ways. We have abandoned so many essential practices which need to be reintroduced to save lives,” Dr. Amadi emphasized, calling for a resurgence of overlooked practices.

Similarly, Alhaji Yerima Shettima emphatically criticized the perceived negligence of those entrusted with upholding food quality standards. “People in sensitive areas must be up and doing. Food security is paramount, and any responsible government must champion it. It is inexplicable that over 200,000 Nigerians die annually from food poisoning. It means that those responsible for ensuring quality assurance, like NAFDAC, are not doing their job,” Shettima expressed, advocating for a stringent system that holds accountable those who shirk their responsibilities.

Joining the discourse, Dr. Uche Okenyi of Hova’s Place Hospital, Festac, shed light on the prevalent causes of food poisoning. “Injecting certain bacteria, viruses, and toxins during food preparation and preservation is a common cause. Contaminated food and water are frequent culprits, often exacerbated by poor personal hygiene, waste management, and unhygienic practices,” Dr. Okenyi elucidated, painting a grim picture of the widespread implications of neglecting food safety and hygiene.

Further compounding the issue, he noted that the reported figure of 200,000 annual deaths due to food poisoning might be an underestimation, with over a million Nigerians affected each year. Emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the problem, he urged comprehensive education, awareness campaigns, and diligent environmental management as crucial preventive measures.

In a similar vein, Dr. Okenyi cited the lack of education and awareness as catalysts for the high mortality rate, underlining the critical role of prompt and proper management in mitigating severe cases. He fervently advocated for concerted efforts from the government, corporate bodies, and well-to-do individuals to bolster education, awareness, and healthcare infrastructure to effectively combat this pervasive issue.

Amidst these impassioned pleas for reform, it becomes evident that a paradigm shift is imperative: a reclaiming of forgotten practices, an uncompromising stance on enforcing food safety regulations, and a resolute commitment to education and awareness. The silent epidemic of food poisoning demands an amplified and concerted response, not just from the authorities, but from every stratum of society. It is a relentless call to action, resonating with urgency and underscoring the inextricable link between food safety, hygiene, and public health.