Poisonous Cassava: NAFDAC To Sensitise Farmers, Food Outlets Operators In Kogi, Ondo

The National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says
arrangements are on to sensitise farmers in Kogi
and Ondo on how to handle food chain from the
farms to consumers’ table. The NAFDAC Director, Special Duties, Dr
Abubakar Jimoh, who spoke to the Newsmen in
Abuja on Sunday, said operators of fast food
outlets in both states would also be trained. NAN reports that the sensitisation is coming on the
heels of the death of nine people after consuming
“amala’’ meal made from poisonous cassava flour.
The incident occurred in Ogaminana, Adavi Local
Government Area of Kogi state in November, 2016. Jimoh explained that NAFDAC had carried out
investigation into the incident with a view to
addressing the problem. He added that some people also consumed
poisonous beans in some places. Jimoh said the agency had taken statistics of
farmers and operators of all food outlets in both
states that would participate in a workshop to be
organised by the agency. According to him, they will be trained on how to
handle critical aspects of food chain from the farms
to consumers’ table. “We shall train farmers on the best practices and
the correct way of applying fertilisers, herbicides,
pesticides and other chemicals for storage of their
harvests. “We will also teach farmers how to dry their
produce because they often spread them on the
express way where such are exposed to
contamination and it is hazardous to the health of
members of the public. “Though, this is not part of the mandate of
NAFDAC as we deal mainly with processed foods,
but we cannot close our eyes in a matter that
affects peoples’ health,’’ he said.