RSM2SNF at the NIFST Conference: Promoting Food Safety and Best Practices Among Vegetable Traders
DOWNLOADOctober 29, 2024 - Prof. Saweda Liverpool-Tasie, Prof. Obadina, Ms. Itohan Martins, Mrs. Grace Amadi
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EmailOn June 6, 2023, the RSM2SNF project team participated in the 9th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit (REFOSTS), organized by the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST). The event, held in Abeokuta, brought together a diverse group of participants, including Prof. Saweda Liverpool-Tasie (Lead Principal Investigator), Prof. Obadina (Food Safety Lead), Ms. Itohan Martins (an Early Career Scholar focused on food safety), Mrs. Grace Amadi (Project Management Assistant), vegetable traders, researchers, and academics from across Nigeria.
The RSM2SNF team made a presentation detailing the project's progress, specifically highlighting food safety initiatives and co-creation activities with vegetable traders. Prof. Liverpool-Tasie introduced the project, emphasizing the need for effective collaboration among researchers to yield robust research outcomes. She provided an overview of the RSM2SNF project's aims and recent achievements, particularly concerning the improvement of food safety in Nigerian food markets.
Ms. Itohan Martins presented her research on the safety and hygiene practices of vegetable vendors in Ogun State. This work, co-sponsored by RSM2SNF and the MSU Global Scholars program, involved analyzing data from 174 traders across nine markets in the three senatorial districts of Ogun State. Her findings revealed key hygiene issues, including the use of contaminated water and the presence of harmful pathogens like Salmonella, E.coli, and Listeria spp. She highlighted that traders who did not change the washing water had a significantly higher likelihood of contamination.
Following Ms. Martins' presentation, Prof. Obadina facilitated a question-and-answer session, encouraging participants to engage deeply with the findings. Attendees, including traders, researchers, and academics, provided valuable feedback and suggestions. The session concluded with recommendations for traders to improve their vegetable washing practices, including changing water frequently to reduce contamination risks.
The event underscored the importance of co-creating solutions to improve food safety in Nigerian markets. The traders expressed their commitment to applying the knowledge shared, including changing washing water more often, and spreading these best practices within their communities. The conference not only showcased ongoing research but also strengthened the relationship between researchers and traders, fostering a collaborative approach to tackling food safety challenges.
Key Takeaways:
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Effective collaboration is critical for enhancing food safety research outcomes.
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Contamination of vegetables with pathogens like Salmonella, E.coli, and Listeria spp. is linked to improper washing practices.
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Traders showed willingness to implement better hygiene practices and improve the safety of vegetables sold in local markets.
