IKORODU – Mr Sunday Awojana, the Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ikorodu Central Local Government, has urged foodstuff grinders to strive to attain utmost personal and environmental hygiene.
Awojana made the appeal during a health seminar, tagged: “Ideal Practice/Prevention of Food Contamination’’, organised by the Ikorodu chapter of Grinders of Foodstuffs Association of Nigeria.
He said since food was important for human growth and development, it was necessary to keep it clean, free from contamination and made safe for consumption.
He advised the members to always maintain a neat environment free from domestic animals and must not allow sick people or persons with cough to be close to their machines.
“Do not allow sick people or persons with cough of any nature to come anywhere near the machine so as not to infest the food item you are dealing with.
“Also, ensure that the grinding machine is properly covered after use to prevent infestation of flies and other invisible bacteria.
“So, generally, you must ensure the neatness of your environment; and all you are doing for the safety of the general public.”
The health officer further advised customers not to engage in excessive talk, expose their hair, or chew sticks when they visit their local grinder’s shop.
Mrs Funmilayo Ajanlekoko, the President of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the seminar was organised to emphasise the essence of cleanliness in their business.
“Apart from holding seminars like this, we, at intervals, embark on field enlightenment to ensure that our members uphold the tenets of personal hygiene.
“For instance, we tell them to insert foam-like material into the inner beams of the grinding machine to collect excess oil and prevent it from dropping into customer’s food items,’’ she said.
A member of the association, Mrs Deyinsilu Nurat, said that the seminar had afforded them indepth knowledge about numerous unhealthy practises.
The event was organised to mark the 2014 Grinders Day in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The World health Organisation has said that food borne diseases is responsible for high levels of morbidity and mortality, especially in infants, children, the elderly and those whose immunity have been compromised. (NAN)
