Food contamination: Assembly tasks food vendors on safety measures

The Ogun Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the state government to compel all food and drink vendors operating in the state to provide safety measures against food contamination.
Olusola Bankole moved the motion during plenary on Tuesday in Abeokuta.
The motion was seconded by Adebowale Ojuri.
Bankole, while defending the motion said it was high time food and drinks meant for public consumption were adequately protected.
He listed the public areas to include bus stops, road sides and motor parks, saying that whatever that is meant for consumption in these areas should to be properly protected.
He urged the state government to make a public pronouncement against any vendor that exposes food and drinks, noting that anything meant for consumption should be protected against contaminating agents.
The lawmaker said that the vendors should make provision for covered display units for the foods to be sold for people’s consumption.
Victor Fasanya stressed the need for food vendors to comply with principles and policies guiding hygiene.
Fasanya said there was need to prevent epidemics in the society, adding that health inspectors should go round and ensure that food and water vendors do the needful.
Nureni Olowofuja opined that government alone should not be saddled with the responsibility of sensitising food vendors, saying it should be the responsibility of everybody.
Akinpelu Aina called on the state ministry of health to take drastic steps to control the food vendors so that their mode of operation could be effectively controlled.
After the deliberation, Bankole moved the motion for the adoption of the resolution, which was seconded by Tunde Sanusi.