Mycotoxin: NAQS organizes workshop to create awareness

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) recently organized a workshop for traders to create awareness on mycotoxin contamination in agricultural and food commodities sold in markets in Kano, Benue and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.


The workshop which was held in collaboration with the Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China aimed to enlighten farmers on the occurrence and prevalence of mycotoxins in agricultural and food commodities, health and economic impacts of exposure to mycotoxin as well as prevention of mycotoxin contamination in food and feed stuffs and environment.

Bukar Hassan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, told participants that proper attention should be given to issues that can negatively impact agricultural production, food and health such as mycotoxin contamination in agriculture and food value chains.

Hassan who was represented by Dr Vincent Isegbe, Coordinating Director of NAQS, noted that mycotoxins have negative impact on the health of consumers which include traders and other actors in food value chain.


In his address, Dr Zhou Pingjian, Ambassador of China to Nigeria, who was represented by Mr. Lin Jing, said food security cannot be only about sustained supply of food for people, but also guaranteeing nutritious and safe food for the people.

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