Policy Brief: Enhancing Food Safety in Oyo State
DOWNLOADDecember 4, 2024 - Professor Obadina Adewale, Professor Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie, Ms. Itohan Ebunoluwa Martins
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EmailThis policy brief evaluates food safety challenges in Oyo 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, findings reveal infrastructure gaps, hygiene issues, and limited public awareness.
Key Findings:
- Sanitation: Only 52% of markets have functional toilets, with a trader-to-toilet ratio exceeding 400, leading to unsanitary practices.
- Water Access: Only 4% of markets have pipe-borne water; most rely on boreholes (72%) or wells (20%).
- Waste Disposal: Improperly managed waste creates contamination risks from pathogens like Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae.
- Awareness: Only 17% of markets display food safety posters, and training for traders is almost nonexistent.
Recommendations:
- Build additional toilets and improve sanitation infrastructure.
- Treat borehole and well water within markets to ensure safety.
- Launch statewide food safety training for traders and consumers.
- Integrate food safety education into school curricula.
- Employ and train Environmental Health Officers to enforce standards.
- Foster public-private partnerships for coordinated safety efforts.
- Support innovative research to enhance food safety technologies.
Conclusion:
Enhancing food safety in Oyo State requires collaborative action to address sanitation and water access issues while improving public awareness. Implementing these measures will reduce foodborne illnesses and strengthen the state’s food sector.
