The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Adeyeye, has issued a warning to Nigerians about the dangers of storing cooked food in refrigerators for more than three days. She highlighted the risks of prolonged food storage, which can lead to contamination by harmful pathogens, resulting in foodborne illnesses and potentially fatal outcomes.
This warning was conveyed in a statement released on Tuesday by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola. The announcement coincided with the 2024 World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7th, themed “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected.” This day aims to raise awareness and advocate for measures to prevent, detect, and manage public health risks associated with unsafe food practices.
Adeyeye emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust food safety culture throughout the food supply chain to effectively mitigate hazards and risks. She pointed out that food safety is not only vital for public health but also crucial for economic development and food security.
The statement read, in part, “She urged Nigerians to avoid storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days, warning that such practices make the food susceptible to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, which are primary agents of foodborne diseases that can be fatal.”
According to global health statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 600 million people worldwide fall ill each year due to consuming contaminated food, leading to approximately 420,000 deaths annually. This pervasive issue also imposes significant economic burdens, with low- and middle-income countries losing an estimated $110 billion annually in productivity and medical expenses due to unsafe food practices.
Highlighting the need for collective efforts to tackle food safety challenges, the Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Eva Edwards, stressed that foodborne diseases are preventable through proper food handling and hygiene practices. Edwards stated, “Let’s all play our part in promoting good hygiene practices in our homes, communities, and food establishments.
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