NATIONAL AND

INTERNATIONAL FOOD

SAFETY GOVERNANCE:

NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVEPresentation

by MRS. YETUNDE ONI

Ag. DG (NAFDAC)@ the 1st Nigerian Food Safety & Investment

ForumEko Hotel and Suites, V/I Lagos.

7 – 8 February, 2017

CONTENTS

Definitions: Food

Food Safety

Governance

Introduction

Global Food Safety Governance

Food Safety Governance in Nigeria

Role of NAFDAC in Ensuring Food Safety

Challenges to Food Safety Governance

Way forward for Food Safety Governance

Conclusion

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DEFINITION OF TERMS

Food: Any article manufactured, sold or advertised for use as food or drink and includes drinking water, chewing gum and such other ingredients as may be mixed with food for any purpose whatsoever, including supplements processed for addition to animal and poultry feeds- NAFDAC Pre-packaged Food (Labelling ) Regulation 2005

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DEFINITION OF TERMSCONT’D

Food Safety- Assurance that food will not

cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten according to its intended use- Codex Alimentarius (2009,pp.6)

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DEFINITION OF TERMSCONT’D

Governance- Refers to structures and processes that are designed to ensure accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, stability, equity and inclusiveness, empowerment and broad-based participation –United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organisation:2017

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INTRODUCTION

NAFDAC MANDATE

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration andControl (NAFDAC),was established by: Decree 15 of 1993Amended by Decree 19 of 1999 Now known as Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of

Nigeria (LFN) 2004To regulate and control the manufacture, importation,

exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use offood, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, medical devices,packaged water and chemicals.

Hereinafter referred to as regulated products.

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Past decades have witnessed a surge of foodborne illnesses of diverse sources: Physical, chemical, biological, or radiological, on every continent of the world.

Risks posed by unsafe food products can originate from a producer in one country and quickly spill over to many others.

Evolving from a local problem to a global concern within a short period of time.

INTRODUCTION CONT’D

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INTRODUCTION CONT’D

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This necessitates:

Efficient and effective International cooperation beyond unilateral efforts of individual countries—

Including standard setting, information sharing, technical and financial assistance, and collective responses to cross-border outbreaks.

INTRODUCTION CONT’D

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Documented outbreaks range from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in beef, dioxin in pork, melamine-contaminated dairy products, and E. coli contaminated cucumbers.

Attesting the increasing importance and complexity of global food safety governance and its public health, social, and economic implications.

GLOBAL FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is generally regarded as the first appropriate International body to play a crucial role in International cooperation of food safety governance Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) was

established in 1963 to o Develop International food Standards, guidelines and

recommendations to protecthealth of consumers

o Ensure fair practices in food trade

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FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN

NIGERIA

In line with global best practice, Nigeria currently operates a multiple Agency Food Safety control system which is mostly Sectorial.

Enactment and implementation of Food Safety legislations is also fragmented between the three tiers of Government: Federal, State and Local Government Area Councils.

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FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

(CONT’D)

Existing regulatory framework in Nigeria

Over the years, Governments in Nigeria have tried in different ways to promulgate laws and regulations that will ensure the safety and wholesomeness of the nation’s food supply.

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FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

(CONT’D)

– Examples include:1. Food and Drugs Act (Cap150) of 1990 as

amended by Act 21 of 1999 (This is also known as Food and Drugs Act 35 of 1974)

2. Sea Fisheries Act No. 71 of 1992;3. National Agricultural Seeds Act 1992.4. Hygienic Code of Practice for handlers by

NAFDAC.5. Regulation on the harmonisation of rules

pertaining to the safety of foods of animal and plant origin within the ECOWAS region, 2011.

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FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN

NIGERIA (CONT’D)

Existing stakeholders in Food Safety Public Sector :

a. Federal Government Ministriesb. Federal Government Food Control

Agenciesc. State Government Ministries of Healthd. State Government Ministries of

Agriculturee. Local Government Departments of

Healthf. Local Government Departments of

Agriculture

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FOOD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

(CONT’D)

Private Sector :

a. Industry

b. Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

c. International Development Partners

d. Universities and Research Institutes

e. Professional Bodies/Associations

f. Consumer Associations.

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY

NAFDAC performs her function in

Food Safety Governance by taking all steps to ensure that food manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, sold and marketed in Nigeria meets the highest standard of Food Safety reasonably available.

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY

She undertakes the inspection of plants/establishments of imported and made in Nigeria food

Conducts appropriate tests and ensures compliance with standard specification

Compiles standard specifications, regulations and guidelines for the production, importation, exportation and distribution of food products.

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY

Undertakes appropriate investigation of production premises and raw materials

Pronounce on the quality and safety of regulated products after appropriate analysis

Undertakes registration of regulated products

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY

In line with Global best practice, NAFDAC was restructured along professional lines

Creating relevant Directorates that have expanded the scope of Food regulation to cater for every aspect of the food chain

The Agency regulates and controls the manufacture of Agrochemicals and Veterinary drugs

Issuing permits for importation as well as monitoring storage, distribution, sale and use.

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY

The Agency has developed several Regulations in

line with Nigerian Industrial Standards and Codex Alimentarius Commission’s Standards

• To guide and control Food Safety

• They are constantly reviewed to reflect changes globally.

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY

Existing Regulations- Examples

Pre-packaged Food (Labelling) Regulations 2005

Pesticide Registration Regulations 2005

Food Fortification Regulations 2005

Draft Regulations –Examples

Food Safety Regulations 2009

Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Food and Feeds Regulations 2009

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD SAFETY

• Guidelines are derived from the Regulations for effective implementation and disseminated to stakeholders

• Other activities conducted to ensure Food Safety include:

• Post marketing monitoring of registered products to enforce the quality, safety and wholesomeness established

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY CONT’D

Good Hygienic Practice (GHP) inspection of Quick Service Restaurants, Bakeries and Supermarket outlets

Promote strong cooperative relationships through communication and consultation with all relevant stakeholders in the Food Chain from farm to table

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY CONT’D

Promotes and coordinates activities of Sanitary and PhytoSanitary measures/World Trade Organisation (SPS/WTO) agreement and activities of SPS enquiry point domiciled at NAFDAC

Promotes and coordinate the activities of International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) on Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)

Serves as the National Secretariat for Codex Alimentarius Commission activities

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ROLE OF NAFDAC IN ENSURING FOOD

SAFETY CONT’D

Collaborates with Development partners such as Micronutrient Initiative (MI), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), UNICEF to carry out Food fortification implementation and monitoring

Ensures and monitors strict adherence to International Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes

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CHALLENGES TO FOOD

SAFETY GOVERNANCE

Lack of awareness of the socioeconomic importance of food safety due to

– paucity of data and information on incidence of food borne disease outbreaks

– lack of understanding of food safety and quality standards as outlined in international agreements

– inadequate infrastructure and resources to support scientific risk management and upgrading of food safety regulatory systems

– inefficient food supply chain and poor traceability system (National Policy on Food Safety and Its implementation Strategy 2014, pg 6)

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WAY FORWARD FOR FOOD

SAFETY GOVERNANCE

Need for improved synergy with other relevant Government Agencies such as Nigeria Customs Services, Nigerian Police Force and other stakeholders.

Need for improved Human resources development.

Need for increased Inter-Agency collaboration.

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• Nigeria has evolved in ensuring the safety of Food along the value chain from farm to fork. Hence, all stakeholders in the Food chain must collaborate to ensure that all food manufactured, imported and distributed for human consumption in Nigeria comply with relevant food safety laws/regulations.

Conclusion

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REFERENCES

1. Codex Alimentarius Food Hygiene 4th Edition 2009

2. NAFDAC Pre-Packaged Food (labelling) Regulations 2005

3. National Policy on Food Safety and its Implementation Strategy 2014

4. United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/quality-framework/development-goals

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