From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa Government has called for an emergency meeting of all the agencies in the food industry to seek bests way to convince Nigerians on the safety of Genetically Modified (GM) foods.
Summoned were the Director General of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr Agnes Yemisi Asagbra and the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye.
The minister emphasised the importance of consistent communication among government agencies to alleviate public fears. He noted the need for a collaborative approach to address safety concerns relating to GM foods, referencing extensive scientific evidence supporting their safety.
The meeting which was aimed to reinforce collaboration between the two agencies to ensure a unified message on food safety, marks a significant step towards unified governance in food safety and public health in Nigeria.
In a statement, both agencies remain committed to ensuring that scientific evidence guides their actions, fostering public trust in food safety regulations.
Asagbra highlighted the historical collaboration between NBMA and NAFDAC, including a Memorandum of Understanding established in 2017. She underscored that no GM food permits are issued without NAFDAC’s involvement, calling for enhanced co-operative efforts to ensure food safety.
But Adeyeye stated that her previous remarks on GM foods were misunderstood, emphasizing NAFDAC’s commitment to safety. She reaffirmed the agency’s rigorous safety standards, stating that no GM foods will be approved without thorough scientific safety assessments.
Recall that GM foods have been an object of controversy as stakeholders in the food industry have expressed fear over the safety of the foods.
The key areas of controversy are whether such food should be labeled, the role of government regulators, the objectivity of scientific research and publication, the effect of genetically modified crops on health and the environment, the effect on pesticide.