On Friday, the Federal Government unveiled the revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and inaugurated four technical working groups (TWGs) on food safety. This event, held in Abuja, was part of the activities marking the 2024 World Food Safety Day. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other partners, spearheaded the initiative.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, highlighted the role of the TWGs in providing expertise and leadership to enhance communication, capacity building, and strategic partnerships among stakeholders. Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Pate emphasized the groups’ aim to strengthen and harmonize Nigeria’s regulatory environment and risk-based food safety systems while improving industry engagement and compliance with international standards.
Pate noted, “The creation of the four TWGs was approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in January 2024. These groups focus on risk-based regulations, risk analysis in food and feed safety, food and sanitary inspection, traceability and supporting technologies, and education for all stakeholders.”
As part of the World Food Safety Day celebrations, Pate reiterated the significance of the theme, “Food safety: prepare for the unexpected,” underscoring the need for vigilance to maintain the integrity of the food supply amidst unforeseen challenges. He declared that the revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality, developed in collaboration with stakeholders, is rooted in the One Health approach and addresses critical areas such as risk analysis, emerging contaminants in the food chain, and an integrated foodborne disease surveillance system.
Kelly Scavella, Programme Manager of USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, remarked that the USDA-FAS partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other Nigerian stakeholders aims to build robust food safety systems relevant to consumers, producers, and regulators. Scavella highlighted, “The TWGs have been established to modernize Nigeria’s food safety regulatory framework, aligning with international best practices to address food safety concerns and support the development of a strong agriculture and food industry.”
In preparation for the Food Safety and Quality bill’s passage into law, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, along with the USDA, the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance, the University of Missouri’s Africa Food Safety Initiative, and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, held a prioritization workshop in December 2022. Stakeholders recommended that the TWGs consist of experts from the public, private, and academic sectors to develop science-based regulations.
Despite delays due to the 2023 election and competing priorities, the National Assembly passed the Food Safety and Quality Bill in 2023. The competent authorities have continued to advance the modernization agenda by reconvening stakeholders for an expertise coordination workshop in November 2023.
