The Akinyele Local Government Headquarters in Moniya, Oyo State, recently hosted a critical training session on food safety, drawing over 60 participants from the informal sector. Organized by Food Safety for Africa (FS4A) in collaboration with Radio IITA, the training aimed to equip farmers, traders, food processors, and transporters with essential skills to enhance food quality and safety.
The Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Honorable Akinwole Akinleye, commended the initiative, stating that the training was timely in addressing food handling and safety concerns. “Ensuring food safety is crucial not just for preventing foodborne diseases but also for strengthening the agricultural economy and consumer confidence,” he said.
Food safety and veterinary health experts led the session, delivering practical insights. The Pathology Scientist and FS4Africa Project Coordinator, Dr Titilayo Falade, emphasized hygiene in food handling and contamination prevention. She highlighted best practices such as drying crops on clean, covered surfaces to prevent mycotoxin contamination, storing well-dried grains in hermetic containers like Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, and using covered vehicles for transportation. She also warned against applying pesticides directly to produce and encouraged using clean, appropriate shopping bags for carrying food items.
Dr Ibikunle Akanbi, a veterinary doctor at the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, addressed livestock health and safe meat production, warning against poor slaughtering practices. “The safety of our food starts with the health of our animals,” he explained. “Regular veterinary check-ups, proper feeding, and safe meat handling ensure that consumers get nutritious and disease-free food.”
Participants actively engaged in discussions, raising concerns about pesticide use, food storage in rural areas with limited refrigeration, and proper meat-handling techniques. The training provided practical solutions, addressing these issues in a locally relevant manner.
The Radio IITA Lead, Dajie Odok Blessing, also spoke about the significance of the collaboration, noting that Radio IITA has been instrumental in disseminating the latest research updates on IITA’s mandate crops. “Beyond advancing agricultural research, Radio IITA is now expanding its outreach to ensure that farmers receive vital food safety tips that can improve public health and market access,” she said.
Several participants shared how the training will impact their businesses. Muritala, a butcher from Moniya, appreciated the knowledge of safe meat handling. “I’ve learned that proper slaughtering practices and hygiene can prevent meat contamination and protect my customers’ health. I’ll henceforth ensure that the meat I sell is handled with the highest safety standards.”
Ajoke Onifade, a food processor, acknowledged that she had been unaware of certain contamination risks. “I used to dry my grains on the bare ground, not realizing that this could introduce harmful toxins. From now on, I will use clean mats and store my grains properly to maintain quality and safety,” she said.
Similarly, Adesola Adesokan, a food transporter, found the session enlightening. “I never knew that using open trucks to transport food items exposed them to dust and contamination. Now, I understand the importance of using covered vehicles and proper storage methods,” he noted.
In addition to enhancing their knowledge, the participants will, in turn, train other grassroots actors, including those involved in production, processing, transportation, trading, and consumption, equipping them with skills and tools to improve food safety across the value chain.
The European Union (EU)-funded project focuses on ensuring food safety by addressing contamination from informal markets and food hazards, setting a new standard in food safety awareness.
As participants left the session, they expressed their commitment to implementing their newfound knowledge and sharing these practices within their communities, ensuring that food safety becomes an integral part of everyday life.
Contributed by Bamise Dada
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