NAFDAC to sensitise farmers, food outlets on poisonous cassava The NAFDAC Director, Special Duties, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, said operators of fast food outlets in both states would also be trained

The National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control says arrangements
are on to sensitise farmers in Kogi and Ondo
States on how to handle food chain from the
farms to consumers’ table.
The NAFDAC Director, Special Duties, Dr.
Abubakar Jimoh, who spoke to the News Agency
of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, said operators of
fast food outlets in both states would also be
trained.
NAN reports that the sensitisation is coming on
the heels of the death of nine people after
consuming “amala” meal made from poisonous
cassava flour.
The incident occurred in Ogaminana, Adavi Local
Government Area of Kogi state in November,
2016.
Jimoh explained that NAFDAC had carried out
investigation into the incident with a view to
addressing the problem.
He added that some people also consumed
poisonous beans in some places.
Jimoh said the agency had taken statistics of
farmers and operators of all food outlets in both
states that would participate in a workshop to be
organised by the agency.
According to him, they will be trained on how to
handle critical aspects of food chain from the
farms to consumers’ table.
Jimoh said: “We shall train farmers on the best
practices and the correct way of applying
fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides and other
chemicals for storage of their harvests.
“We will also teach farmers how to dry their
produce because they often spread them on the
express way where such are exposed to
contamination and it is hazardous to the health
of members of the public.
“Though, this is not part of the mandate of
NAFDAC as we deal mainly with processed
foods, but we cannot close our eyes in a matter
that affects peoples’ health.”
NAN.
Alabatvnews.