ANAMBRA STAKEHOLDERS ON FOOD, WATER BRAINSTORM ON HYGIENIC WAYS OF PROCESSING, DISTRIBUTION, CONSUMPTION.(PHOTO).

Anambra Stakeholders On Food, Water Brainstorm On Hygienic Ways Of Processing, Distribution, Consumption.

Stakeholders drawn from various regulatory bodies in Anambra State have held a one-day engagement programme to brainstorm on healthy practices in the production, distribution and consumption of food and water in the state.

The event was organized by the State Ministry of Health through its Department of Anti-Piracy, Food and Water Safety and Hygiene (WASH).

Declaring the event open at the conference hall of the ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, noted that real action needs to be taken to prevent people in the state from consuming harmful substances in the guise of food.

She explained that various diseases and ailments affecting the present generation are largely due to inadequate checks and balances, and even when such measures are in place, people often cut corners during the processes.

According to Dr. Uchebo, the meeting was convened to brainstorm on ways to curb practices that are inimical to good food processing, from the point of production through handling to final consumption in society.

The Programme Officer, Food and Water Safety and Hygiene, Mrs. Rose Amasiatu, while outlining the objectives of the engagement, said there are numerous unsafe practices along the food supply chain in Nigeria and Anambra State in particular, such as exposing ready-to-eat foods to houseflies and other disease vectors.

Those in attendance included officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), representatives of the hospitality industry, the Anambra State Association of Bakers, food vendors, butchers, and civil liberty organizations.