The Nigerian government has raised alarm over the growing threat of food fraud and unsafe preparation methods, revealing that the country loses approximately $3.6 billion each year due to foodborne illnesses. These losses come from reduced productivity, increased medical costs, and restrictions on trade.
Speaking at the launch of a new Food Safety Operational Manual in Abuja, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology described unsafe food as a “silent epidemic” that contributes to over 200,000 deaths annually, many of them children.
The manual serves as a national guide to improving food safety in both informal and formal settings, especially among market vendors, roadside sellers, and local food businesses. It was developed to equip local food inspectors and vendors with science-based techniques for safer food handling.
Nigeria’s food sector has been plagued by dangerous practices such as the use of industrial dyes in red oil, paracetamol in meat, and detergent in fermented cassava. Health experts warn these contribute to a rise in serious illnesses like cancer, kidney damage, and liver failure.
Officials stressed that food fraud, often driven by poverty and ignorance, is a public health emergency. Selling toxic food is already classified as a crime under Nigerian law, yet enforcement remains weak due to inadequate staffing of licensed food professionals at the local government level.
The new manual is also part of a broader national policy to improve food safety and quality. It includes training programs aimed at strengthening food monitoring systems and equipping food safety officers with the latest scientific and technical knowledge.