NAFDAC, FCCPC others partners OSOA Foods advocacy on food safety, MSME growth

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and related agencies have partnered OSOA foods in its avocacy for food safety and growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise in Nigeria.

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, called for stronger collective action to ensure food safety nationwide.

Adeyeye, represented by an assistant director in the agency, Mr Samuel Ukpi, described food safety as a fundamental human right requiring sustained commitment from governments, businesses and consumers.

According to her, the 2026 World Food Safety Day theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,” demands practical and collaborative measures.

“World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder that food safety is a fundamental human right requiring collective commitment to ensure safe, nutritious food access,” she said.

Adeyeye said unsafe food remained a major global public health challenge, causing economic losses, malnutrition, reduced productivity, food waste, rejected exports and preventable deaths worldwide.

Citing World Health Organisation statistics, she said about 600 million people fall ill annually from contaminated food, while approximately 420,000 deaths occur yearly, with children under five particularly vulnerable.

“Achieving safe food everywhere requires sustained implementation of best practices throughout the food chain, including good hygiene, agricultural, manufacturing, storage, distribution and safety management standards,” she said.

She said governments, food businesses and consumers shared responsibility for food safety through stronger regulations, hazard control systems, surveillance mechanisms, technological innovations and proper food handling practices.

Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to risk-based inspections, scientific regulation, stakeholder partnerships and capacity building, particularly for MSMEs involved in food production and processing.

“Compliance is an investment rather than a cost and is necessary for building resilient food systems nationwide,” she said.

In his goodwill message at forum Mr Akinwunmi Ishola, FCCPC Health Quality Assurance and Development Officer said ensuring safe fruits at every stage of production and distribution would reduce foodborne illnesses and strengthen public confidence in the nation’s food system.

He commended OSOA Foods for organising the event and drawing attention to food safety issues affecting public health, consumer welfare and national development.

According to him, the theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,” is timely because unsafe food remains a major challenge for consumers, businesses and the wider economy.

“Unsafe food is not only a health concern but also a consumer protection issue, an economic burden and a threat to trust in the food system,” he said.

The FCCPC official said consumers often suffer illness, medical expenses, loss of income and, in severe cases, loss of life due to unsafe food.

He added that businesses also face product rejection, reputational damage, reduced market confidence and regulatory sanctions arising from food safety failures.

Ishola reaffirmed FCCPC’s commitment to protecting consumers’ rights to safe, quality and properly represented food products.

He urged farmers, processors, transporters, retailers, regulators and consumers to adopt measures that prevent contamination, improve traceability and strengthen hygiene standards.

Ishola described fruits as essential components of healthy diets but warned that poor handling and unhygienic storage could turn them into vehicles for foodborne diseases.

“If we truly want safe food everywhere, then we must ensure safe fruits everywhere: safe fruits on farms, in transit, markets, factories, shops and homes,” he said.

According to him, safe fruit production requires knowledge, hygiene, discipline, proper storage, responsible chemical use, quality control, regulation and accountability.

He said the burden of unsafe food could be reduced significantly if stakeholders committed themselves to practical solutions from farm to table.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, represented by Mrs Adewale Abiodun, said the joint celebration highlighted opportunities for growth.

She said foodborne illnesses and supply chain inefficiencies continued to burden communities and businesses, stressing that Lagos had integrated food safety into economic development and MSME empowerment programmes.

“The joint celebration of World Food Safety Day and World MSME Day underscores transforming challenges into opportunities,” she said.

Ambrose-Medebem highlighted interventions including LSETF and Lagos CARES, saying they had provided billions of naira in loans and grants to help businesses recover, expand and adopt modern practices.

She said the Produce for Lagos Programme, backed by a N500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, connects farmers to markets through cold-chain infrastructure, efficient logistics systems and guaranteed produce offtake arrangements.

The commissioner also highlighted enforcement of hygiene standards, promotion of HACCP systems and investments in food security infrastructure, including the Lagos Central Food Security and Logistics Hub in Epe.

“Stronger collaboration among regulators, food businesses, development partners and consumers is essential. Sustained investments, public awareness and innovation will ensure safe food access and prosperous MSMEs,” she said.

In another goodwill message by the General Manager LASEPA Dr. Babatunde Ajayi delivered by a representative from agency Mrs Shotobi Oyindamola, he stressed the interconnectivity between food safety, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of our communities, while charging the body to keep doing great works geared towards ensuring wellness of all.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, represented by Miss Omowunmi Ibraheem, said foodborne diseases remained a significant public health concern.

He noted, however, that such diseases could be prevented through science-based decisions, effective regulation and collective responsibility.

According to him, food safety extends beyond regulatory compliance, protects lives, builds public confidence, supports economic growth and enhances the reputation of Lagos’ food service industry.

Mojola reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to safety excellence through advocacy, training, capacity building and collaboration, urging stakeholders to strengthen compliance mechanisms.

Also, the Director-General of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, Mr Afolabi Solebo, represented by Mr Raheem Lucas, emphasised that safe food requires collective responsibility, stronger awareness, collaboration and commitment from stakeholders.

Speaking for the host community Ikosi-Isheri LCDA Chairman, Princess Samiat Bada, represented by Vice Chairman, Mr Olayinka Ogunleye, warned fruit sellers against using chemicals for preservation.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of OSOA Foods, Mr Solomon Oyeniran, called for stronger collaboration to promote food safety and strengthen MSMEs in the agrifood sector.

Mr. Philippe A. Leporcher COO/ Managing Director Afriprime Engineering & Packaging Services Limited also graced the occasion owing to admiration of OSOA Foods good works.