Strengthen food safety in Nigeria

Marché International de Rungis SEMMARIS, a French leader of wholesale market is performing a study funded by French Development Agency (AFD - Agence Française de Développement) to define a strategy to develop and strengthen city markets in Nigeria. 

SEMMARIS has mandated Phylum, with François Gary and Dooshima Kwange (a Nigerian expert) to define a strategy and an action plan strenghtening food safety on raw products (meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, subsistence crops) in wholesale markets.

Food safety is one of the most important One Health issue in Nigeria. Around 200,000 people including under-five children reportedly die annually from the consumption of contaminated foods in Nigeria (National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and Its Implementation Plan 2023). Engaging a food safety strategy focused on market is perfectly relevant as it is more than 50% of the food sourcing of Nigerian population, as it is a key hub to involve farmers as suppliers, vendors on the market and consumers. Unfortunately, the food safety in these supply chains is not sufficiently considered by Nigerian competent authorities. A challenge to propose a more pragmatic and efficient approach.

Here are some pictures of François' mission to Nigeria