The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency and key stakeholders in the food sector have reiterated the need to prioritise food safety as a cornerstone of public health and consumer protection.
This was canvassed at the 3rd Food Safety Conference and Exhibition held on Tuesday at the NECA Event Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, with the theme, “Food Safety: Science in Action.”
Speaking at the conference, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olugbemiga Aina, commended LASCOPA for its proactive approach in bringing food safety issues to the forefront of public discourse.
He stressed that food safety was no longer an isolated concern but a shared responsibility across the entire value chain. According to him, the conference should become a periodic event to sustain public awareness and ultimately inform government policy.
“Food safety is critical to consumer health and overall economic growth. I am confident that the outcomes of this conference will positively influence government policies and reshape stakeholders’ approach to food handling and safety,” Aina said.
On his part, the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, emphasised that food safety required the collective effort of regulators, producers, retailers, and consumers.
“Unsafe food does not only pose health risks but also undermines consumer confidence and economic stability. This conference is designed to deepen awareness and foster collaboration to ensure that food reaching consumers is safe, healthy, and nutritious,” Solebo stated.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Chairman of Kano State Consumer Protection Council, Dr. Umar Garbar, lauded LASCOPA for sustaining the initiative, noting that food safety is pivotal to Lagos State’s vision of achieving a healthy population and sustainable development.
