Health Minister links low intelligence quotient to preventable food borne diseases, others
The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has described low intelligence quotient to preventable food borne diseases as a major courses of stunted growth, infertility and even cancer. Adewole represented by Antonia Opera, recently said that Nigeria has been plagued with food borne disease outbreaks.
The minister disclosed this in an address to participants in a two day workshop organised by UNIDO in collaboration with EU and Federal Ministry of Health in Enugu,
titled Induction /Awareness Training on the Basic Principles and Significance of Food Safety for Food and Non-Food Handlers (Farming, Food Service, Food Manufacturing, Consumer Associations and Other Related Stakeholders).
“In recent years, the country’s been plagued with preventable foodborne disease outbreaks such as Cholera, typhoid fever, Lassa fever, methanol and lead poisoning,” she said.
According to her, chemical intoxication as a result of the presence of Aflatoxin in nets, seeds and cereals consumed, causes deaths every year, pointed out that Aflatoxin has been responsible for up to 5160 deaths per year.
“Aflatoxin is known to be responsible for up to 5160 deaths per year, and it has also been linked to stunted growth and low intelligence quotient in children, infertility, chronic diseases (liver and kidney related diseases) and cancer. All these diseases are generally the consequences of poor Food Safety culture and hygiene practices in Nigeria, “she discloses.
In a lecture titled ,”Understanding the Basic Principles and Significance of Food Safety, “ UNIDO Food Safety Expert, John Tehinse said that the work shop was very important in sensitising the public on the importance of food safety.
He said that they was no other time better that now to preach the gospel to the people.
UNIDO Food Safety Expert noted that people in the food production, processing, storage and consumers should be careful in handling foods, nuts, fruits and cereal to check untimely deaths.
The participants were drawn from the 17 local government areas of Enugu State and the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Chinweike Echochin flagged off the workshop on behalf of Gov. Ugwuanyi Ugwuanyi.
Regis Anukwuoji/Enugu