Policy Brief: Enhancing Food Safety in Kaduna State
DOWNLOADDecember 4, 2024 - Professor Obadina Adewale, Professor Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie, Ms. Itohan Ebunoluwa Martins
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EmailThis policy brief explores food safety challenges in Kaduna State’s wholesale markets for fish, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables (GLVs), based on data collected between March 2023 and February 2024 under the RSM2SNF project. With 80 markets assessed, the findings reveal critical infrastructure gaps, low awareness, and inadequate waste management.
Key Findings:
- Sanitation: Only 39% of markets have functional toilets, with over 500 traders per toilet, causing unhygienic practices.
- Water Access: Just 5% of markets have pipe-borne water, relying instead on wells (46%) and streams or jerricans (20%).
- Waste Disposal: Poor waste management spreads pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
- Awareness: No markets feature food safety posters or training programs for traders.
Recommendations:
- Build additional toilets and improve waste disposal systems.
- Introduce and treat water sources to enhance hygiene.
- Launch statewide food safety training for traders and consumers.
- Include food safety education in school curricula.
- Employ and train Environmental Health Officers to enforce standards.
- Strengthen public-private partnerships for coordinated safety efforts.
- Support research into innovative food safety technologies.
Conclusion:
Addressing these challenges in Kaduna requires collaborative efforts to improve infrastructure, enforce hygiene practices, and educate stakeholders. Implementing these recommendations will reduce foodborne illnesses and support the local economy.
