NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE: NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE Presentation by MRS. YETUNDE ONI Ag. DG the 1 st Nigerian Food

Transcription

1 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE: NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE Presentation by MRS. YETUNDE ONI Ag. DG the 1 st Nigerian Food Safety & Investment Forum Eko Hotel and Suites, V/I Lagos. 7 8 February, 2017

2 Definitions: Food Food Safety Governance CONTENTS Introduction Global Food Safety Governance Food Safety Governance in Nigeria Role of NAFDAC in Ensuring Food Safety Challenges to Food Safety Governance Way forward for Food Safety Governance Conclusion 2

3 DEFINITION OF TERMS Food: Any article manufactured, sold or advertised for use as food or drink and includes drinking water, chewing gum and such other ingredients as may be mixed with food for any purpose whatsoever, including supplements processed for addition to animal and poultry feeds- NAFDAC Pre-packaged Food (Labelling ) Regulation

4 DEFINITION OF TERMS CONT D Food Safety- Assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten according to its intended use- Codex Alimentarius (2009,pp.6) 4

5 DEFINITION OF TERMS CONT D Governance- Refers to structures and processes that are designed to ensure accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, stability, equity and inclusiveness, empowerment and broad-based participation United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation:2017 5

6 INTRODUCTION NAFDAC MANDATE The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),was established by: Decree 15 of 1993 Amended by Decree 19 of 1999 Now known as Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 To regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, medical devices, packaged water and chemicals. Hereinafter referred to as regulated products. 6

7 INTRODUCTION CONT D Past decades have witnessed a surge of foodborne illnesses of diverse sources: Physical, chemical, biological, or radiological, on every continent of the world. Risks posed by unsafe food products can originate from a producer in one country and quickly spill over to many others. Evolving from a local problem to a global concern within a short period of time. 7

8 INTRODUCTION CONT D This necessitates: Efficient and effective International cooperation beyond unilateral efforts of individual countries Including standard setting, information sharing, technical and financial assistance, and collective responses to cross-border outbreaks. 8

9 INTRODUCTION CONT D Documented outbreaks range from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in beef, dioxin in pork, melamine-contaminated dairy products, and E. coli contaminated cucumbers. Attesting the increasing importance and complexity of global food safety governance and its public health, social, and economic implications. 9

10 GLOBAL FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE The World Health Organisation (WHO) is generally regarded as the first appropriate International body to play a crucial role in International cooperation of food safety governance Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) was established in 1963 to o Develop International food Standards, guidelines and recommendations to protect health of consumers o Ensure fair practices in food trade 10

11 FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA In line with global best practice, Nigeria currently operates a multiple Agency Food Safety control system which is mostly Sectorial. Enactment and implementation of Food Safety legislations is also fragmented between the three tiers of Government: Federal, State and Local Government Area Councils. 11

12 FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA (CONT D) Existing regulatory framework in Nigeria Over the years, Governments in Nigeria have tried in different ways to promulgate laws and regulations that will ensure the safety and wholesomeness of the nation s food supply. 12

13 FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA (CONT D) Examples include: 1. Food and Drugs Act (Cap150) of 1990 as amended by Act 21 of 1999 (This is also known as Food and Drugs Act 35 of 1974) 2. Sea Fisheries Act No. 71 of 1992; 3. National Agricultural Seeds Act Hygienic Code of Practice for handlers by NAFDAC. 5. Regulation on the harmonisation of rules pertaining to the safety of foods of animal and plant origin within the ECOWAS region,

14 FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA (CONT D) Existing stakeholders in Food Safety Public Sector : a. Federal Government Ministries b. Federal Government Food Control Agencies c. State Government Ministries of Health d. State Government Ministries of Agriculture e. Local Government Departments of Health f. Local Government Departments of Agriculture 14

15 FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA (CONT D) Private Sector : a. Industry b. Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) c. International Development Partners d. Universities and Research Institutes e. Professional Bodies/Associations f. Consumer Associations. 15

16 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY NAFDAC performs her function in Food Safety Governance by taking all steps to ensure that food manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, sold and marketed in Nigeria meets the highest standard of Food Safety reasonably available. 16

17 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY She undertakes the inspection of plants/establishments of imported and made in Nigeria food Conducts appropriate tests and ensures compliance with standard specification Compiles standard specifications, regulations and guidelines for the production, importation, exportation and distribution of food products. 17

18 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY Undertakes appropriate investigation of production premises and raw materials Pronounce on the quality and safety of regulated products after appropriate analysis Undertakes registration of regulated products 18

19 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY In line with Global best practice, NAFDAC was restructured along professional lines Creating relevant Directorates that have expanded the scope of Food regulation to cater for every aspect of the food chain The Agency regulates and controls the manufacture of Agrochemicals and Veterinary drugs Issuing permits for importation as well as monitoring storage, distribution, sale and use. 19

20 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY The Agency has developed several Regulations in line with Nigerian Industrial Standards and Codex Alimentarius Commission s Standards To guide and control Food Safety They are constantly reviewed to reflect changes globally. 20

21 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY Existing Regulations- Examples Pre-packaged Food (Labelling) Regulations 2005 Pesticide Registration Regulations 2005 Food Fortification Regulations 2005 Draft Regulations Examples Food Safety Regulations 2009 Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Food and Feeds Regulations

22 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY Guidelines are derived from the Regulations for effective implementation and disseminated to stakeholders Other activities conducted to ensure Food Safety include: Post marketing monitoring of registered products to enforce the quality, safety and wholesomeness established 22

23 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY CONT D Good Hygienic Practice (GHP) inspection of Quick Service Restaurants, Bakeries and Supermarket outlets Promote strong cooperative relationships through communication and consultation with all relevant stakeholders in the Food Chain from farm to table 23

24 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY CONT D Promotes and coordinates activities of Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary measures/world Trade Organisation (SPS/WTO) agreement and activities of SPS enquiry point domiciled at NAFDAC Promotes and coordinate the activities of International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) on Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) Serves as the National Secretariat for Codex Alimentarius Commission activities 24

25 ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY CONT D Collaborates with Development partners such as Micronutrient Initiative (MI), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), UNICEF to carry out Food fortification implementation and monitoring Ensures and monitors strict adherence to International Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes 25

26 CHALLENGES TO FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE Lack of awareness of the socioeconomic importance of food safety due to paucity of data and information on incidence of food borne disease outbreaks lack of understanding of food safety and quality standards as outlined in international agreements inadequate infrastructure and resources to support scientific risk management and upgrading of food safety regulatory systems inefficient food supply chain and poor traceability system (National Policy on Food Safety and Its implementation Strategy 2014, pg 6) 26

27 WAY FORWARD FOR FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE Need for improved synergy with other relevant Government Agencies such as Nigeria Customs Services, Nigerian Police Force and other stakeholders. Need for improved Human resources development. Need for increased Inter-Agency collaboration. 27

28 Conclusion Nigeria has evolved in ensuring the safety of Food along the value chain from farm to fork. Hence, all stakeholders in the Food chain must collaborate to ensure that all food manufactured, imported and distributed for human consumption in Nigeria comply with relevant food safety laws/regulations. 28

29 REFERENCES 1. Codex Alimentarius Food Hygiene 4 th Edition NAFDAC Pre-Packaged Food (labelling) Regulations National Policy on Food Safety and its Implementation Strategy United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture 29

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