The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to protecting public health through enhanced food safety and sanitation practices across the state.

This commitment was underscored during a one-day training programme organised by the Kwara State Ministry of Health for food handlers, water factory operators and bakery owners in the state.

Addressing the event, held at the Cooperative Hall of the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, stated that the training was necessary because the health and wellbeing of residents are directly linked to the quality of food and water consumed daily.

According to him, unsafe food handling practices, poor sanitation, contaminated water and unhygienic production environments remain major causes of preventable diseases.

Dr Taoheed explained that the training was designed to build the capacity of stakeholders, improve compliance with health regulations and promote best practices in food safety and sanitation across the state.

He stressed that the government remains committed to monitoring, regulating and inspecting food establishments, bakeries and water production facilities to ensure they operate according to approved health standards.

He also urged operators to ensure timely renewal of all operational permits, certificates and licences, noting that expired documentation violates public health regulations and exposes consumers to unnecessary risks.

The Permanent Secretary further disclosed that the Ministry intends to sustain the training programme on a regular basis, preferably yearly, in order to keep stakeholders updated on emerging safety concerns, current health regulations and modern sanitation practices.

Dr Taoheed emphasised the importance of personal hygiene and food hygiene, adding that food handlers must maintain high standards of cleanliness through proper hand washing, use of clean protective clothing, routine medical examinations, environmental sanitation, proper waste disposal and safe storage of food and water products.

According to him, the Ministry will not hesitate to enforce sanctions against individuals or establishments found operating below approved standards.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharmacist Barakat Olarewaju, described the training as a strategic effort aimed at strengthening collaboration among stakeholders towards ensuring a safer and healthier Kwara State.

She noted that the training, themed "Food Safety and Sanitation: The Role of Stakeholders in Ensuring a Safer Kwara", was organised to improve compliance with health regulations and prevent food-borne diseases across the state.

The facilitator, Mr Raphael Odeniyi, during his presentation on food sanitation, explained that food sanitation involves maintaining hygienic conditions in food establishments to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses.

He stated that proper cleaning, disinfecting, hand hygiene and safe storage of food products are essential in preventing contamination and eliminating harmful organisms.

Mr Odeniyi also clarified the difference between food hygiene and food sanitation, explaining that while food hygiene focuses on personal and food cleanliness, sanitation emphasises the cleaning and disinfection of equipment, surfaces and the entire food environment.

Participants at the training expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Government for organising the programme, describing it as timely and beneficial to improving standards within the food and water production industries.