By Chris Chikelue
Anambra State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Anti-Piracy Society of Nigeria, has embarked on a 3-day massive sensitization of the public on the adoption of safe practices by food handlers in the food supply chains of preparation/processing, transportation, storage, and on the table food provision.
According to the Programme Manager, Food Safety and Hygiene, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr. Rose Amasiani, the exercise is to sensitize the general public on safety standards, protocols and guidelines to avoid exposing l consumers to food poisoning and food borne diseases.
“The sensitization is also for food handlers in Anambra State. They were told to shun food frauds, illicit and adulterous practices along the food supply chain.
The consumers were encouraged to report any harmful practices by food handlers to the State Ministry of Health or to the Anti-Piracy Society by calling the provided phone numbers on the fliers distributed during the campaign.
“They were encouraged to ‘see something, and say something’ for the safety of Ndi-Anambra and the exercises covered the streets and markets in the three senatorial zones of Anambra State. With the food safety programme in Anambra State Ministry of Health, the food handlers is sure to adopt safe practices and consumers safety is assured”.
While commenting on the reasons for the exercise, the Director General Anti-Piracy Society of Nigeria, Hon. Frank Uduonu said, “we are embarking on the web sensitization to inform the populace that they need to beware of the directive of the Ministry of Health towards food distribution chain.”
After this exercise we will be embarking on the second phase of the campaign which is the implementation of safety directives of the Federal Ministry of Health.
“We are overwhelmed by the news of sudden collapse of persons as they go about their daily schedules; there is no how we cannot attribute these happenings to the what they eat which in turn could slow down their body metabolism.
“That is why we are partnering with the Ministry of Health to kill these ignorance through public education which is important to enlighten the society on safe practices as long as food distribution and consumption are concerned”.
On engaging Hoteliers and canteen operators on best practices of the food and water distribution Hon Uduonu said that the Anti-Piracy is carrying them along in the safe food distribution campaign.
“We have also had meetings with Hoteliers and canteen operators and they have always assured us that they were complying to the safe distribution directives.
“Soon we will be embarking on Hotel visitations to see things for ourselves and to make sure that where they cook their food for lodgers are neat and meet the accepted existing standard of the Ministry of Health.
“The Anti-Piracy boss hinted that soon food handlers in the state would be made to obtain food handlers’ permit before they can operate in the state saying that no food operators would be allowed to operate without passing through a prerequisite training and obtaining the permit.
“Those patronizing these outlets will then be advised to look out for the food handlers’ permit which will be made to be hung in conspicuous areas in canteens and other food processing points in the state.
“The train also visited the Mayor Aguata LGA, Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, who supported the motive of the Ministry of Health and the Anti-Piracy Society of Nigeria for embarking on the sensitization of Ndi-Anambra to ensure the food they eat is safe and hygienic.
