- From
-
Published on
24.03.25
The Akinyele Local Government Headquarters in Moniya, Oyo State, recently hosted a critical training session on food safety, drawing over 60 participants from the informal sector. Organized by Food Safety for Africa (FS4A) in collaboration with Radio IITA, the training aimed to equip farmers, traders, food processors, and transporters with essential skills to enhance food quality and safety.
The Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Honorable Akinwole Akinleye, commended the initiative, stating that the training was timely in addressing food handling and safety concerns. “Ensuring food safety is crucial not just for preventing foodborne diseases but also for strengthening the agricultural economy and consumer confidence,” he said.
Food safety and veterinary health experts led the session, delivering practical insights. The Pathology Scientist and FS4Africa Project Coordinator, Dr Titilayo Falade, emphasized hygiene in food handling and contamination prevention. She highlighted best practices such as drying crops on clean, covered surfaces to prevent mycotoxin contamination, storing well-dried grains in hermetic containers like Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, and using covered vehicles for transportation. She also warned against applying pesticides directly to produce and encouraged using clean, appropriate shopping bags for carrying food items.