The Osun State Government has officially adopted the National Policy on Food Safety and Implementation Strategy, 2014, for domestication in the state.

This, according to Governor Ademola Adeleke, will ensure the safety and protection of the residents of the state from the consumption of contaminated food.

He announced this at the official launch of the policy document on Wednesday.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Jola Akintola, emphasised that the National Policy on Food Safety and Implementation Strategy, NPFSIS, was developed to address the country’s need for a modern and effective national food safety system.

He explained that food safety is a scientific discipline that encompasses the handling, preparation, storage, and transportation of food to prevent food-borne illnesses.

“It is the moral and legal responsibility of the government to protect the public against diseases, disabilities, and deaths, resulting from the consumption of unwholesome food and water,” he said.

Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, stressed the importance of collaboration among development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, NCDC, NAFDAC, and others to ensure the proper implementation and sustainability of the policy.

In his welcome address, Dr Isiaka Adekunle, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, highlighted the significance of consuming safe food for developing immunity against diseases, contrasting it with the devastating consequences of consuming unsafe food, which can lead to organ failure and death.

“The adoption of the policy is in line with the resolutions from the 58th meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) held in Sokoto State in 2016,” he stated.