Policy Brief: Enhancing Food Safety in Plateau State
DOWNLOADDecember 4, 2024 - Professor Obadina Adewale, Professor Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie, Ms. Itohan Ebunoluwa Martins
Print
EmailThis policy brief highlights critical food safety challenges in Plateau State’s wholesale markets for tomatoes and green leafy vegetables (GLVs), based on data from the RSM2SNF project conducted between July 2023 and February 2024. Findings reveal significant gaps in infrastructure, hygiene, and public awareness.
Key Findings:
- Sanitation: Only 17% of markets have functional toilets, with over 1,000 traders per toilet, forcing unsanitary practices like open defecation.
- Water Access: Only 8% of markets have pipe-borne water; most rely on streams (55%), wells (21%), and boreholes (19%), none of which are treated.
- Waste Disposal: Poorly managed waste contributes to contamination risks from pathogens like Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae.
- Awareness: Food safety posters and training programs for traders are nonexistent, leading to unsafe handling practices.
Recommendations:
- Build modern toilets to reduce trader-to-toilet ratios.
- Treat water used in markets to prevent health hazards.
- Educate traders and consumers on safe food handling and hygiene practices.
- Promote proper cleaning and use of jerricans to prevent cross-contamination.
- Integrate food safety education into school curricula.
- Employ and train Environmental Health Officers to enforce hygiene standards.
- Foster public-private partnerships to streamline food safety initiatives.
- Support research and innovation to develop cutting-edge food safety solutions.
Conclusion:
Improving food safety in Plateau State requires immediate action to address sanitation, water access, and waste management issues. Implementing these recommendations will reduce foodborne illnesses and enhance the state’s public health and economic stability.
