The Oyo State Government has banned the use of Styrofoam for food packaging, storage, and other uses in the state, a decision said to be part of government efforts to uphold food safety standards in the state and environs.
Penpushing reports that the Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, made this known on Monday at the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum and inauguration of the task force to oversee the enforcement.
The Commissioner represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Akintunde Ayinde, noted that the menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, packaging, and other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become a great public health concern in the state.
Penpushing further reports she explained that the task force would be sensitising the actors along the food chain on the importance attached to the implementation of food safety standards by the government.
‘Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence the need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives. The directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services is saddled with the responsibility of regulating food business operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the state. There are also plans to double efforts to monitor and inspect food business premises in the state’, Ajetunmobi said.
Penpushing also reports that it is recalled that the Oyo State House of Assembly on February, 8, 2024 urged the state government to ban the use of Styrofoam for food purposes in the state, and equally inaugurated the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force to oversee the enforcement of food safety rules and regulations in the state.
The task force comprising members from the state Food Safety Management Committee, the Nigeria Police Force, the Association of Table Water Producers, and the Association of Canteen Workers, among others is headed by the Permanent Secretary.
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