Policy Brief: Enhancing Food Safety in Borno State: Challenges and Solutions
DOWNLOADDecember 4, 2024 - Professor Obadina Adewale, Professor Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie, Ms. Itohan Ebunoluwa Martins
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EmailThe policy brief evaluates food safety in Borno State's wholesale markets for fish, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables (GLVs). Based on findings from the RSM2SNF project (July 2023–February 2024), the study highlights significant infrastructure gaps, poor hygiene practices, and limited public awareness that compromise food safety.
Key Findings:
- Sanitation: While 95% of markets have functional toilets, the trader-to-toilet ratio is over 180, causing resort to open defecation and contamination risks.
- Water Access: No markets have treated or pipe-borne water; 50% rely on streams, and 24% use boreholes.
- Waste Management: Improper waste disposal is a source of pathogens like Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae.
- Awareness: No food safety posters, regulations, or training exist in markets, leading to poor hygiene practices.
Recommendations:
- Increase functional toilets and provide treated water sources in markets.
- Educate traders and consumers on food safety practices through training and public awareness campaigns.
- Integrate food safety topics into school curricula to build long-term awareness.
- Empower Environmental Health Officers to monitor and enforce hygiene standards.
- Promote collaboration between public and private sectors for coordinated food safety initiatives.
- Invest in research and innovation to develop effective food safety technologies.
Conclusion:
Improving food safety infrastructure and practices in Borno's markets is critical for reducing foodborne illnesses and enhancing public health. The authors advocate for an inclusive, collaborative approach to address these challenges effectively.
