By Dipo Olowookere
The dangers of unsafe foods in the society have been highlighted by the Minister of Health, Mr Isaac Adewole.
The Minister, while speaking at an occasion on Tuesday, noted that foodborne diseases impede socio-economic development by straining healthcare systems and arming national economies, tourism and trades.
In his address at a forum organised by the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Lagos, Mr Adewole disclosed that, “Food safety incidents have had negative effects on public health, trades and livelihoods and on countries’ economies.
“People are consequently exposed to significant risks of food contamination.
“Unsafe foods containing harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites are indicated in over 200 diseases ranging from diarrhoea to cancer.
He revealed that, “An estimate shows that about 600 million people accounting for one in 10 globally fall ill after eating contaminated food.
“And about 420,000 die every year; in addition, children under five years old carry 40 percent of the food-borne disease burden with 125,000 deaths every year.”
According to him, lack of access to quality foods influenced consumption of bad foods, thus threatening the national economy and health sectors.
Mr Adewole pointed out that the World Health Organisation said in 2015 that access to sufficient food in safe and nutritious components was central to sustaining life and promoting good health.
“The negative impact of unsafe food is enormous and also creates a vicious circle of diseases and malnutrition.
“Particularly affecting infants, young children, elderly and the sick,” he said at the forum designed to enhance food safety and foster international business cooperation.
