Lagos Trains Food Processors On Proper Handling Techniques

Lagos Trains Food Processors On Proper Handling Techniques

Food processors, handlers and vendors in Lagos State have been trained on proper food handling to ensure that consumers take in wholesome processed food. 

Justina Balogun, Lagos State Coordinator for Cadre Harmonise Data Analysis for Food and Nutrition Security while speaking at the training which took place at the Mid-level Agro Produce Hub, Idi-Oro in Mushin area of the state, explained that the workshop was organized in order to ensure food safety, hygiene and proper food handling for Lagosians. 

“We realise that a lot of food are been wasted in the state and people don’t handle what they eat properly and considering the fact that Lagos is a cosmopolitan city, most of us don’t really cook our foods, we go for processes food, as a result of this, we must ensure that what people are buying to consume is prepared in hygienic way. 

“We want to ensure that the food we are eating is prepared from a clean environment, so that it can be beneficial to our body and not cause another ailment to us.” 

Balogun, who is also a member of the Lagos state committee on food and nutrition and focal person for nutrition in the Lagos state ministry of Agriculture encouraged the food processors, the handlers and the vendors to always be fully kitted with their nose mask, head gear, apron and hand gloves whenever they are handling food so that whatever they are preparing or processing will be done hygienically. 

“We aim to guide them through the food transformation process, ensuring that the items they process adhere to the highest hygiene standards and remain in good condition. This meticulous approach is crucial, as anything deemed unsafe cannot be classified as food. Our primary goal is to guarantee the safety of the processed items for consumption.” 

Balogun, also said that the Committee has put measures in place to monitor the food handlers and vendors after the training to know if they are making use of what they have been taught. 

She said participants at the workshop were drawn from 16 local governments’ areas in both Lagos West and Lagos Central Senatorial Districts of the state and that the programme will be taken to other local governments areas in the state. 

Salau Kehinde, a Subject Matter Specialist in Women in Agriculture and Nutrition Department of the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), noted that the essence of the workshop is to preach the importance of food safety and quality hygiene in the food value chain. 

“We want our food handlers to know that if it is not safe; it is not food and anything one will sell to others to consume must be prepared in a hygienic environment, well processed and well cooked. 

She advised the participants to desist from adding preservatives to their processed foods and also implored them to make the best use of what they have gained from the training. 

One of the participants, Alhaja Nurat Atoba who spoke with our correspondent, appreciated the organisers of the training, she promised that she will make the best use of the knowledge she has garnered from the training. 

She promised to also step down the training to other members of her group who could not be available for the training. 

“We were trained on food handling and food safety; the hygienic way of processing and handling food. 

“As a fish processor in Lagos State, I have been able to benefit immensely from the training. We were taught how we should handle food properly to avoid contamination. 

“Starting from the equipment, we should be well dressed with our neat apron; cap, hand gloves, nose mask and all that. We have learnt so much; it will now enable us to improve on what we have been doing in the past, to produce wholesome, safe processed food to Lagosians and Nigerians.