The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it has taken cogent steps to checkmate the prevalence of aflatoxins in locally-processed food products, moving into the export market.
Nonye Ayeni, NEPC Executive Director, stated this at the weekend during a one-day training at the NEPC Office in Owerri, on minimising aflatoxin contamination in agricultural produce.
Ayeni, who was represented by Anthony Ajuruchi, NEPC’s Imo State Coordinator, advised farmers and food processors to watch out for “poisonous aflatoxins that contaminate our food products especially post harvest “.
She also urged farmers to take care of the soil on which plants are grown, adding that when the soil is filled with toxins, plants are easily contaminated, and human consumers are not spared.
“We must care for our soil the way we care for ourselves because plants derive most of their food from the soil.
“We must therefore detoxify not just the harvested produce but also the soil “, she said.
Clifford Owuamanam, the Guest Speaker from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), warned that aflatoxins could cause to the damage of the kidneys, liver and other body organs.
Owuamanam, who heads FUTO’s Department of Food Science and Technology, described aflatoxins as “secondary metabolites produced from fungi moulds.”
He said that aflatoxins could be mitigated by prompt drying of produce after harvest, monitoring of grain in the farm, and the application of proper biological and chemical control methods for pests.
Canice Nze, Head of Produce Department of the Imo State Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment, said that the State Government’s task force would continue to ensure that only standard goods were moved into and out of the state.
Justice Alihie, Chief Executive Officer of “Do It Yourself”, an agriculture consulting firm, called for proper disposal of materials containing lead such as batteries and other toxic materials to ensure soil safety for healthy planting.
