Experts Want Food Preservation Facilities In Markets

Two public health experts
have urged all tiers of government to provide adequate monitoring systems and preservation facilities for food items in the markets to check rot, infestation and wastages.
Mr Tam Tamunokonbia, Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and Dr John Egbuta, a public health consultant and nutritionist, made the appeal in Lagos, yesterday.
They told newsmen that the appeal became imperative because of the prevalence and consumption of rotten foods in Lagos markets.
Tamunokonbia said that it was glaring that some Nigerians deliberately consume fake products because they were cheaper, ignoring the health or safety implications.
“Last year, we launched a campaign against buying fake or rotten products simply because they were cheaper.
“More than 60 per cent of Nigerians comfortably consume fake products, some of them intentionally, while some are not even aware they are harmful.
“From food, cosmetics products, building materials, spare parts, computers, insecticides, clothes, electrical equipment, cooking  ingredients; the list is endless.
“So, many people are endangering their lives because the prices are cheap but it is still not an excuse.
“We campaign a lot for people to report dealers of fake products, and we also raid markets too, but because we do not have enough funds, we cannot do as much as we should,’’ he said.
Tamunokonbia appealed to the government to empower regulatory bodies to fight the influx of fake products because of the harm to the economy.
Egbuta said that the consumption of rotten food items could easily infect the body system with lots of bacteria responsible for strange diseases.
“Just like Lagos is doing with the processing and transporting of meat, state and local governments should also do the same for other food items.
“This will help preserve the food items and drastically reduce the consumption of such foods or those infested with flies.
“The three tiers of government should also encourage local manufacturing and packaging businesses to guard against it,’’ Egbuta said.