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The National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says arrangements are on to sensitise
farmers in Kogi and Ondo on how to handle food chain from the farms to
consumers’ table.
The NAFDAC Director, Special Duties, Dr Abubakar
Jimoh, told journalists in Abuja weekend, that operators of fast food outlets
in both states would also be trained.
This is coming on the heels of the death of nine
people after consuming “amala’’ meal made from poisonous cassava flour.
The incident occurred in Ogaminana, Adavi Local
Government Area of Kogi state in November, 2016.
Jimoh explained that NAFDAC had carried out
investigation into the incident with a view to addressing the problem.
He added that some people also consumed poisonous
beans in some places.
Jimoh said the agency had taken statistics of
farmers and operators of all food outlets in both states that would participate
in a workshop to be organised by the agency.
According to him, they will be trained on how to
handle critical aspects of food chain from the farms to consumers’ table.
“We shall train farmers on the best practices and
the correct way of applying fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides and other
chemicals for storage of their harvests.
“We will also teach farmers how to dry their produce
because they often spread them on the express way where such are exposed to
contamination and it is hazardous to the health of members of the public.
“Though, this is not part of the mandate of NAFDAC
as we deal mainly with processed foods, but we cannot close our eyes in a
matter that affects peoples’ health,’’ he said.
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