Ted Odogwu
The Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology on Tuesday in Kano State commenced the process of sensitizing stakeholders to the necessity of processing and packaging agricultural products to conform to global standards.
In his remarks at the sensitization forum on pilot survey of food facilities (food business operations) in selected five Local Government Areas in the state, a council member, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, said the stakeholders meeting marks the beginning of the operations of the newly inaugurated NICFST.
According to him, NICFST, which was signed into law on October 16, 2019 by President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration, is an agency established to regulate the profession of food science and technology, in conformity with international best practices.
“Its vision statement is for the efficient professional management of various segments of the Nigerian food value chains and supply systems following current best scientific practices for food security.”
“To promote the highest standards in the training and practice of the Food Science and Technology profession in Nigeria.”
“We now would be able to sensitize our people to add value and take good care of our food, which would have an impact on our health, as well as on our economy.
“My stake is that it is an extremely very important milestone, which I am calling on my people to cooperate, the Local Government in particular, where our populace is, where the generally low level of micro-economic activities related to food are taking place. I call on the administration to pay attention to the activities of micro support of people that will benefit from the venture.
Also in her remarks, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Veronica Eze, who was represented by Bello Kabiru, stressed that what our stakeholders need do is to add value to agricultural products, like sorghum (dawa) which Cadbury and Nestle Foods use for the production of Bounvita and milo respectively.
She encouraged participants drawn from five Kano Local Government Areas to seize the opportunity to key into Science and Technology towards not only adding value to their products for exports but also contributing toward the socio-economic development of the country.
“NiCFoST will heavily rely on the state Ministry of Health to pursue the desirable reforms in the management of food safety matters. Specifically, the regulation of food service businesses including street food vendors, caterers of all categories, market food sellers, mobile and semi mobile food sellers. NiCFoST expects the support of the State Ministry of Health in ensuring that the inspectors and regulators will be registered and licensed food scientists and technologists i.e., certified food scientists of Nigeria (CFSN). NiCFoST will work with the State Ministry of Health to develop an action plan for ensuring that this strategy is fully adopted by the States and LGAs. NiCFostwill also supports the State Ministry of Health with food scientific expertise and food-related scientific status summary on major or urgent matters whenever it is necessary.”
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