‘We Are Ignorant, We Don’t Read’ — NAFDAC DG Raises Food Safety Concerns

‘We Are Ignorant, We Don’t Read’ — NAFDAC DG Raises Food Safety Concerns

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has said poor understanding of food safety guidelines and regulatory responsibilities remains a major challenge in Nigeria.

Adeyeye made the remarks while explaining the roles of government agencies in regulating food products and agricultural practices across the country.

“We are ignorant in this country. We are very ignorant. We don’t read. We don’t understand,” the NAFDAC DG said.

She explained that several government agencies are responsible for different stages of the food chain, from production on the farm to consumption, stressing that NAFDAC’s mandate primarily covers processed and semi-processed foods.

According to Adeyeye, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has the primary responsibility for fresh agricultural produce sold in markets.

“NAFDAC mandate is for processed or semi-processed foods. So the oranges you buy in the market, we don’t control the oranges you buy in the market,” she said.

However, she said NAFDAC has regulatory responsibilities when pesticides are used in agricultural production because the agency approves, regulates and controls such products.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC works with the Ministry of Agriculture to train farmers on the proper use of pesticides, including the quantity to apply and the appropriate period between treatment and harvesting.

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She said some farmers may misuse agricultural chemicals because they do not fully understand instructions on pesticide labels.

“We have about 56 per cent illiteracy. If it’s a literate country, they will read: ‘Put one teaspoon in one gallon.’ Sometimes our people don’t understand. And they think the more you put, the better,” she said.

The NAFDAC chief said the agency’s Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate also trains farmers and other stakeholders on the appropriate use of pesticides.

She, however, noted that NAFDAC cannot independently reach the entire farming population because of the number of farmers across the country.

“We cannot go to one million farmers in Nigeria. NAFDAC cannot do that. It is the Ministry of Agriculture that should be doing that,” Adeyeye said.

She added that while NAFDAC has an obligation to support farmer education because of its role in regulating pesticides, the Ministry of Agriculture should take the lead in educating farmers on fresh produce and agricultural practices.

Adeyeye also said many Nigerians do not understand the specific responsibilities of government agencies involved in food regulation, resulting in misplaced expectations about what NAFDAC can regulate.

The comments come amid continuing concerns over food safety, pesticide misuse, counterfeit products and consumer protection in Nigeria.

Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians through its complaint channels each month. The agency also reported receiving 225 complaints involving suspected counterfeit products in August.

She said complaints from consumers provide important leads for NAFDAC’s investigations and enforcement activities.

The agency has continued to urge Nigerians to pay attention to product information, follow safety instructions and report suspected counterfeit, substandard or unsafe products through its established channels.

‘We Are Ignorant, We Don’t Read’ — NAFDAC DG Raises Food Safety Concerns