The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified surveillance in restaurants and eateries to ensure hygienic practices and prevent a cholera outbreak in Sokoto State.
Mr. Garba Adamu, the agency’s state coordinator, told Pathway News on Friday that a team of officials has been deployed to ensure all food outlets adhere to stipulated sanitary regulations. “The team, headed by NAFDAC’s Nutrition Officer, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, is to ensure that only safe, hygienic, and quality foods are being prepared and sold to consumers,” Adamu explained.
He stated that through routine inspections, food vendors are mandated to comply with the agency’s guidelines on good hygiene and sanitation practices. This effort aims to safeguard public health and prevent the spread of cholera, as cases are being recorded in some parts of the country.
The coordinator warned food vendors against using adulterated, counterfeit, unregistered, and expired items in cooking their meals. He reiterated that NAFDAC would continue its enforcement to apprehend defaulters.
Adamu added that the operation would extend to local government areas, border markets, and other locations as part of the agency’s efforts to ensure only hygienic foods are sold. He called on the public to be wary of poorly prepared foods and report any unhygienic practices from any eatery to NAFDAC, emphasizing the agency’s determination to safeguard the nation’s health.
