National Agency for Food And Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says measures are in place to sensitise Nigerians on some major public health challenges.
According to it, some of the various infractions that impact negatively on public health and healthcare delivery system include the use of Azo-dyes in Palm Oil and “ Sniper’’ to preserve foodstuffs.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, NAFDAC, made the assertion at the Flag-Off of the agency’s Sensitisation Campaigns in Lagos on Tuesday.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said the campaign themes were multifaceted with clear, concise, informative and educative messages aimed at arousing the awareness and
“These campaign themes intend to address the dangers of buying medicines from hawkers and abuse of Codeine and self-medication especially among youths.
“ The dangerous effects of using kerosene tanker to load groundnut oil, dangerous practice of using potassium bromate to bake bread and use of Azo-dyes in palm oil which causes cancer.
“Also the dangers of using `Sniper’ to preserve any type of food or to keep flies away from meat, dangers of transfat and consumption of excessive oil.
“The use of formalin on food and its associated health hazards as well as low level of exclusive breastfeeding practice by lactating mothers and its associated health hazards.’’ said explained
According to the NAFDAC D-G, public awareness campaign is one of the veritable regulatory mechanisms put in place by NAFDAC to promote and protect the health of our people.
“The key objective of this sensitisation programme is to intensify and expand the scope of our informal and formal behaviour change communication strategies in order to reach the vulnerable communities especially at the grassroots.
The NAFDAC boss also acknowledged the fact that Nigeria was not left out of the global problem of falsified medical products and unwholesome food.
NAN