Cholera: NAFDAC sensitises food vendors, restaurants on hygienic practices

The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified surveillance in restaurants and other eateries to ensure hygeinic practices against cholera outbreak in Sokoto State.

The agency’s state Coordinator, Mr Garba Adamu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that a team of officials had been detailed to ensure that stipulated sanitary regulations were adhered to by all food outlets.

Adamu explained that “the team, headed by NAFDAC’S  Nutrition Officer, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, is to ensure that only safe, hygienic and quality foods are being prepared and sold to consumers.”

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s first visually impaired prof. Jibril Diso dies 

He said that through routine inspection,food vendors were mandated to comply with the agency’s guidelines on good hygiene and sanitation practices.

According to him, the effort is to safeguard peoples’ health and prevent the spread of cholera, as cases are being recorded in some parts of the country.

The coordinator cautioned food vendors against using adulterated, counterfeit, unregistered and expired items in cooking their meals, reiterating that NAFDAC would continue the enforcement to apprehend defaulters.

READ ALSO: Manchester United agrees £35m deal for Dutch-Nigerian striker, Zirkzee

Adamu said the operation would be extended to local government areas, border markets and others as part of the agency’s efforts to ensure only hygienic foods are sold.

He called on the public to be wary of poorly prepared foods, and report any unhygienic practices from any eatery to NAFDAC, reiterating the agency’s determination to safeguard the health of the nation. 

(NAN)