Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developm : Agric Minister promotes food safety, advocates better food processing, packaging and storage

Following concerns raised by experts on the danger of poisonous metal particles and chips in food processed through grinding machines popularly in use by Nigerians, the Minister of Agriculture - Chief Audu Ogbeh recently directed an agricultural engineer - Mr. Lucas Niji to fabricate a safer grinding machine, using non-friction and non-corrosive stainless steel.

Hon. Minister inspecting the Stainless Steel Grinding Machine

Presenting and demonstrating the newly fabricated stainless steel grinding machine to the Hon. Minister in Abuja, Mr. Niji stated that the machine which was locally produced would be made available in motorized and manual forms and in different sizes.

Speaking during the demonstration, Chief Ogbeh expressed concerns over rising cases of liver and kidney diseases, particularly among children and youths and stated that issues concerning food safety and consumers' health ought to be given more attention in Nigeria. He appealed to Nigerians to adopt safe food processing and packaging so as to reduce associated health challenges in the country.

'The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is interested, not just in agriculture, but also in food safety and people's health. We have to get rid of metal poisoning, polypropylene and review how our fish is smoked. We will work closely with the Ministries of Health, Trade and Investment, Science and Tech and Women Affairs and see how to fabricate more of these machines', the Minister added.