Nigerian lawmakers have expressed urgent concern regarding food safety standards in the country, citing data that links unsafe food to approximately 53,000 deaths annually. The legislative body is calling for immediate government intervention to address the health risks posed by contaminated or improperly handled food products.
To mitigate these risks, the lawmakers have directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to enhance regulatory oversight. The proposed measures include strengthening nationwide surveillance, conducting more frequent routine inspections, and improving certification processes across the entire food production and distribution chain.
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