The House of Representatives has called for the introduction of stricter food safety laws to protect Nigerians from the dangers of contaminated food and harmful chemicals used in food production.

The lower chamber of the National Assembly said the call has become necessary amid rising concerns over malnutrition, food insecurity and the increasing rate of diseases linked to unsafe food practices across the country.

According to the House, many Nigerians are daily exposed to serious health risks as a result of poor handling, storage and processing of food items, as well as the indiscriminate use of chemicals by some farmers and food vendors.

The House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, which is at the forefront of the advocacy, said there is an urgent need for the Federal Government to overhaul the existing food safety regulatory framework to meet global standards.

The Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Chike Okafor, made the call in Abuja during an event organised to sensitise stakeholders on the dangers of unsafe food and the need for stronger regulation.

Okafor, who was represented at the event by the Clerk of the Committee, Dr. Agenti Milicent Millicent, said the current laws guiding food safety in Nigeria are weak and largely unenforceable.

He explained that the Committee is deeply worried about reports of food contamination, adulteration and the use of dangerous chemicals in the preservation and production of food items sold in open markets.

The lawmaker noted that unsafe food not only causes immediate health problems such as food poisoning and diarrhoea but is also linked to long-term illnesses including cancer, kidney failure and liver damage.

He stressed that food safety is directly connected to nutrition and food security, adding that no nation can achieve food security if its food supply is unsafe for human consumption.

Okafor further stated that children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable to the effects of contaminated food, and that malnutrition in many communities is worsened by the consumption of unsafe food.

He disclosed that the Committee is already working on new legislative proposals aimed at strengthening food safety enforcement and ensuring that only wholesome food gets to Nigerian consumers.

According to him, part of the legislative work includes a bill to regulate the practice of nutritionists and dietitians in Nigeria and to provide a legal framework for professional standards in the nutrition sector.

The Committee also revealed that it is pushing for the passage of a National Nutrition Bill which will provide a comprehensive legal backing for nutrition programmes and interventions across all tiers of government.

He said the Bill, when passed into law, will address the gaps in coordination, funding and implementation of nutrition policies that have hindered progress in tackling malnutrition in the country.

In addition to legislative efforts, Okafor said the Committee has commenced investigations into the alleged misuse and diversion of funds meant for agricultural intervention programmes across the country.

He explained that billions of naira have been released by the Federal Government for various agricultural programmes, but there is little to show for it in terms of increased food production and safety.

The Committee Chairman expressed concern that some of the intervention funds may have been mismanaged or channelled into programmes that make use of harmful chemicals without proper regulation or oversight.

Also speaking at the event, a renowned food safety advocate, Dr. Adebayo Segun, called for a thorough investigation into agricultural intervention programmes and the chemicals being used in food production.

Segun said there is an urgent need for the government to scrutinise the types of chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides being distributed to farmers under various government support schemes.

He warned that some chemicals being used by farmers, if not properly regulated and applied, could leave toxic residues in food crops, thereby posing serious health risks to consumers.

The food safety expert further called on relevant regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC, SON and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to intensify monitoring and testing of food items in markets across the country.

He said many food items sold in open markets are not subjected to any form of safety check, making it difficult for consumers to know whether what they are eating is safe.

The Committee disclosed that it is currently engaging relevant government agencies and stakeholders over concerns surrounding some farming programmes, including the recent ginger blight outbreak that destroyed thousands of hectares of ginger farms.

Okafor said the ginger blight incident has raised serious questions about the quality of seedlings, chemicals and extension services provided to farmers under government intervention programmes.

He assured that the Committee will not relent in its oversight functions and will ensure that all those found culpable in the mismanagement of agricultural funds or distribution of harmful inputs are brought to book.

The Committee also called on state governments, local councils, civil society organisations and the media to join hands with the National Assembly in creating awareness on the importance of food safety and good nutrition practices.

It maintained that ensuring food safety is not the responsibility of the Federal Government alone, but requires collaboration among all stakeholders in the food value chain, from farmers to consumers.

The House of Representatives, therefore, urged Nigerians to be more vigilant about the sources of their food, how it is stored and prepared, while assuring that the National Assembly will do everything within its powers to enact laws that will protect citizens from unsafe food.