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…Calls for stronger scientific safeguards
By Lukman Olabiyi
The Society of Testing Laboratory Analysts of Nigeria (SoTLAN) has raised concerns over the persistent threat of food contamination in Nigeria, urging government agencies, food producers and consumers to embrace science-based measures to strengthen food safety and protect public health.
In a statement issued to mark the 2026 World Food Safety Day, the President of SoTLAN, Mr. Bolawa Gbolahan, said unsafe food remains a major public health and economic challenge, exposing millions of Nigerians to foodborne illnesses caused by microbial contamination, chemical adulteration, poor food handling practices, and weak compliance with food safety standards.
Gbolahan said this year’s commemoration should serve as a platform for moving beyond awareness campaigns toward practical, evidence-driven interventions capable of safeguarding consumers, improving food systems, and enhancing confidence in food products.
According to him, contamination risks exist at every stage of the food value chain, from agricultural production and processing to transportation, storage, retail distribution and household consumption, making collective action essential.
He noted that regulators, food producers, laboratory professionals, vendors, policymakers, and consumers all have critical roles to play in reducing food safety risks nationwide.
The Society expressed particular concern over the continued presence of aflatoxins in staple foods such as maize, groundnuts, and other agricultural commodities. It warned that prolonged exposure to the toxins has been linked to liver diseases, impaired child growth, and reduced agricultural productivity, while also limiting Nigeria’s export potential.
Gbolahan further decried the misuse of hazardous chemicals in food preservation and storage as well as the illegal use of pesticides and other harmful substances in food handling, describing such practices as significant threats to public health.
He also stressed the need to incorporate small-scale food vendors, roadside food operators, and micro-caterers into the country’s food safety framework, noting that they provide daily meals for millions of Nigerians and are indispensable stakeholders in achieving safer food systems.
To improve food safety outcomes, SoTLAN recommended sourcing ingredients from reputable suppliers, maintaining proper hygiene standards, ensuring access to clean water, conducting regular medical screenings for food handlers, and participating in compliance programmes organised by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“Food safety is not merely a regulatory obligation. It is a public health imperative, an economic necessity, and a national development priority.
“As public analysts and laboratory professionals, we stand at the frontline of protecting consumers through scientific evidence, accurate testing, and professional integrity,”Gbolahan said.
He explained that public analysts, who are licensed under the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), provide scientific evidence required for regulatory decisions, food safety investigations, product certification, export validation, and enforcement actions.
According to him, laboratory professionals play a critical role in identifying aflatoxins, pesticide residues, heavy metals, adulterants, and other contaminants that threaten food quality and consumer health.
He added that strengthening laboratory infrastructure and expanding the capacity of public analysts would improve regulatory compliance, boost consumer confidence, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international agricultural markets.
SoTLAN also highlighted its collaboration with IPAN in promoting national food safety objectives. While IPAN serves as the statutory body responsible for regulating and licensing public analysts, the Society focuses on advancing quality assurance, laboratory best practices, professional development, and evidence-based solutions to national challenges.
As the world marks World Food Safety Day 2026, the society reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safe food, protect consumers, and strengthen Nigeria’s food safety architecture through science, professionalism, and effective regulation.
It called on government agencies, industry stakeholders, development partners, food business operators, and consumers to work together in translating scientific knowledge into practical actions that guarantee safe food for all Nigerians.
World Food Safety Day is observed annually on June 7 and is coordinated globally by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization to promote awareness and action on preventing, detecting, and managing foodborne risks.
