Nigeria reaffirms commitment to food safety at 2025 World Food Safety Day
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reiterated its commitment to food safety as a critical component of public health and national development, marking the 2025 World Food Safety Day with a call for collective responsibility across the food supply chain.
In her opening remarks, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, Director of the Food and Drug Services Department, emphasised that food safety is a shared responsibility. “Food safety is everyone’s business — from the farmer and processor to the retailer, transporter, and consumer. Each of us has a role to play by adhering to standards rooted in scientific evidence,” she stated.
Speaking at the event, Dr. John Atanda, Director and National Coordinator of the Food Safety and Quality Programme, highlighted the global implications of foodborne diseases. “Globally, 600 million people fall ill from unsafe food each year. Low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of this burden, with over $110 billion lost annually due to productivity loss and healthcare costs,” he said.
The event also served as an opportunity to appreciate the efforts of development partners, international organisations, and local stakeholders whose continued support has been instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s food safety agenda.
Goodwill messages were delivered by collaborating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock Development, Environment, and Industry, Trade and Investment. These messages reaffirmed their support for coordinated efforts toward ensuring food safety across sectors.
The 2025 World Food Safety Day commemoration focused on raising awareness and promoting action to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks through scientific innovation and regulation.
This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of integrating science into food policy, positioning it as the foundation of effective food safety systems. It also emphasized the urgent need for cooperation at all levels — local, national, and global — to ensure safe food for all.
