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In a bid to eradicate the hazard pose to health through food consumption, a member of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, SAN, and some certified nutritionists have advised against the inadequate freezing of foods.
The food experts explained that refrigerated and frozen food must maintain a specific temperature to ensure safe consumption without adverse health consequences.
Ezeilo, a Professor of Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsuka, Enugu State, said “We kindly request that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NAFDAC advise the Honourable Minister of Power and the Nigerian people regarding the health risks of freezing, defrosting, and refreezing food and, importantly, how to store food safely in refrigerators and freezers.
“Refrigerated and frozen food must maintain a specific temperature to ensure safe consumption without adverse health consequences. If followed, the minister of Power’s recommendation could potentially put Nigerians’ health at risk.
A nutritionist, and dietetics expert, Tolulope Ajayi, said, “Foods kept in the freezer should be maintained well below 4°C. This is because freezing slows down the growth of bacteria like yeast, and mold that cause food-borne illnesses, a public health issue now in Nigeria.
“Also, freezing at that specific temperature helps preserve the food’s quality in terms of its flavour, texture, taste, etc, hence, failure to keep the food safe at that temperature will predispose a lot of Nigerians to food-borne illnesses. This is because of urbanisation and the busy/hustling schedule of people.”
