The National Agency for Food and Administration and Control, or NAFDAC, has stated that refrigerating cooked food for longer than three days poses a risk to public health. On Tuesday, as part of the 2024 World Food Safety Day, the agency’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this.
She advised Nigerians to refrain from keeping cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days.
In a statement signed by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, on Tuesday, the agency stated that cooked food refrigerated for days will be contaminated by disease-causing pathogens, leading to foodborne diseases that can lead to death.
She (NAFDAC FG) warned Nigerians not to keep cooked food in the refrigerator for longer than three days, pointing out that this practice puts food at risk of contamination by disease-causing pathogens, which are major contributors to foodborne illnesses that can be fatal. The DG urged participants in the food supply chain to make deliberate efforts to establish a food safety culture in their operations in order to reduce food hazards and risks that could compromise food safety. The DG made this appeal while speaking at the 2024 World Food Safety Day, which had as its theme, “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected.”
She noted that food safety is not only important for public health but also for economic development, adding that everyone from producers to consumers must play their part to ensure food safety.
“Let us all stay true to the statements ‘food safety is everyone’s business’ and ‘food safety is a shared responsibility’ as we mark this year’s World Food Safety Day.
Proper food safety procedures are crucial, and NAFDAC’s caution about the risks of keeping cooked food in the fridge for longer than three days is a crucial reminder of this. Nigerians can prevent foodborne illnesses and safeguard their health by being aware of the dangers of long-term storage and following advised protocols. A culture of food safety must be fostered through the agency’s efforts to increase public awareness of food safety as well as individual and community responsibility. Let us pledge to implement and promote safe food handling procedures as we honor World Food Safety Day, guaranteeing the continued safety and health of our kitchens and communities.