TheNewsGuru

Tag: Food

  • FCCPC raises alarm over increased sale of adulterated foods

    FCCPC raises alarm over increased sale of adulterated foods

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has frowned at the increasing sale of adulterated and contaminated foods in the markets.

    The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, said in Abuja on Thursday, that some traders were engaging in various forms of adulteration without minding the health implications on consumers.

    Abdullahi said this at a one-day sensitisation for traders, farmers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the public on forceful ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat and grains.

    Abdullahi said the move was to ensure a healthier society in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He said the Acts that established the Commission gave them powers to evacuate fake and adulterated products from the markets to avoid purchase by consumers.

    According to him, we have to renew the hope of our people to be alive and healthy first.

    “We have allowed the love of money to supercede everything that we do.

    “We will go the markets to sensitise the traders, educate the public and sellers that adulterated and fake products are not allowed in the markets and if they see any, they have somewhere to report.

    “We are going to markets in the states, the grassroots, farms to find out the sharp practices going on and to ensure we get a healthier society in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “We have to ensure that the goods in the markets are according to the standard that they should be,” he said.

    Mr Femi Stephen from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, described adulteration as the addition of substandard substances that had same properties with the food stuff which they are mixed.

    On adulteration of palm oil, Stephen said they are being adulterated with dye, lard (animal fat from pork) and transformer oil (paraffin).

    Stephen said that adulteration had been linked to various health challenges.

    He listed some health issues linked to adulteration to abdominal pain, nausea, brain damage, stomach disorder, cardiac arrest, liver disease and breathing difficulties.

    Stephen urged farmers to seek experts’ guidance in the application of pesticides to avoid poisoning.

    Dr Promise Ogbonna from the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said that forceful ripening of fruits was detrimental to health.

    Ogbonna said that calcium carbide used for forceful ripening of fruits were arsenic and phosphorus which had been said to be carcinogenic.

    Dr Edozie Ugwu, the Vice-President, North Central, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), commended the FCCPC for the sensitisation.

    Ugwu said that many Nigerians had lost their vital body organs to the adulteration of food.

    He said the market associations would collaborate with the Commission and other government agencies to ensure that the law penalised any trader found wanting in the practice.

    “What we intend doing is to take this back and sensitise our traders on the importance of avoiding these adulterated foods.

    “We plead that this be extended to various markets,” he said.

    Various market associations including market women associations and members of Food and Hygiene Association of Nigeria were present at the event.

  • WHO sends out strong warning on refrigerated food: It can kill you

    WHO sends out strong warning on refrigerated food: It can kill you

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the public to dispose of food exposed to temperatures over 5 °C (41 °F) for no longer than two hours, as it will become unsafe for consumption.

    The health organization in a series tweets posted on the microblogging platform, X made this known to commemorate the 2024 World Food Safety Day, themed “Food safety: prepare for the unexpected.”

    World Food Safety Day, celebrated annually on June 7, was established by a United Nations General Assembly task force in 2018 to raise awareness and promote efforts to prevent, detect, and address public health risks associated with unsafe food.

    “If there has been a power outage in your area, refrigerated or frozen food may not be safe to eat. Products can become unsafe if they have been exposed to temperatures above 5 °C for more than two hours.

    “After four hours of a power cut, the following apply: Throw out all perishable foods in your fridge, such as meat, poultry, fish, and leftovers.

    “Throw out all items in your freezer once they have thawed or cook them immediately, if they have been exposed to ambient temperature for more than two hours. Never eat food to determine if it is safe. If in doubt, throw it away,” WHO warned.

    The health organization further admonish those in power outage-prone areas to ensure that they keep a supply of pre-packaged, ready-to-eat, and canned foods, along with bottled water.

    “In case you live in areas prone to power outages, always keep a stock of pre-packaged, ready to eat and canned food, as well as bottled water for an emergency situation. Undamaged canned goods and commercial glass jars of food are likely to be safe.

    “However, if possible, containers should be sanitised before opening them for use. Discard canned foods with broken seams, serious dents, or leaks; and jars with,” WHO advised.

  • Food prices continue to rise in Nigeria – NBS

    Food prices continue to rise in Nigeria – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says prices of rice, garri, tomato, beans, yam and other food items increased in April 2024.

    The NBS said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for April 2024 released in Abuja on Friday.

    The report said that the average price of 1kg of local rice increased by 155.93 per cent from N546.76 recorded in April 2023 to N1, 399.34 in April 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of local rice increased by 3.47 per cent in April from the N1, 340.74 recorded in March 2024.”

    It said that the average price of 1kg of white garri increased by 134.98 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N362.50 recorded in April 2023 to N851.81 in April 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of white garri increased by 13.59 per cent from the N749.89 recorded in March 2024.”

    The report said that the average price of 1kg of tomato increased by 131.58 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N485.10 in April 2023 to N1, 123.41 in April 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 17.06 per cent from the N959.68 recorded in March 2024.”

    The NBS said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans rose by 125.43 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N615.65 in April 2023 to N1387.90 in April 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of brown beans increased by 12.44 per cent from N1, 234.40 recorded in March 2024 to N1,387.90 in April 2024. ”

    In addition, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber rose by 154.19 per cent on a year-on-year basis from the N444.69 recorded in April 2023 to N1, 130.37 in April 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 5.76 per cent from N1, 068.78 recorded in March 2024 to N1, 130.37 in April 2024.”

    On state profile analysis, the report showed that in April 2024, the highest average price of 1kg of local rice was recorded in Niger at N1, 785.47, while the lowest was recorded in Benue at N993.72

    It said that Bayelsa recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1, 095.26, while the lowest was recorded in Benue at N494.47.

    The NBS said that the highest average price of 1kg of tomato was recorded in Delta at N1, 851.19, while the lowest price was recorded in Zamfara at N547.22

    According to the report, Abuja recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N2, 288.36, while the lowest was reported in Yobe at N818.03.

    It said Cross River recorded the highest average price of 1kg of yam tuber at N 1,797.15, while the least average price was recorded in Bauchi at N638.64.

    Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of local rice was highest in the South-West at N1, 615.21, followed by the South-South at N1, 564.85.

    “The lowest price was recorded in the North-West at N1, 163.13.”

    The South-South and South-West recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,031.19 and N 982.42, respectively, while the lowest price was in the North-West at N681.77.

    The report said that the South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of tomato at N1, 689.40 followed by the South-West at N1, 429.06 , while the North-West recorded the lowest price at N615.54

    The NBS said also that the North-Central and South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N1, 594.84 and N1, 579.64, respectively.

    “The North-West recorded the lowest price of 1kg of brown beans at N966.9.”

  • Food prices rise in March 2024 – NBS

    Food prices rise in March 2024 – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says prices of beef, rice, beans, white garri, yam, and other food items increased in March 2024.

    The NBS said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for March 2024,, released in Abuja on Friday.

    The report said that the average price of 1kg of boneless beef increased by 73.78 per cent from N2,479.61 recorded in March 2023 to N4,309.16 in March 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of boneless beef increased by 17.91 per cent in March from the N3,654.56 recorded in February 2024.”

    It said that the average price of 1kg of local rice increased by 152.93 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N530.08 recorded in March 2023 to N1,340.74 in March 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of local rice increased by 9.63 per cent from the N1,222.97 recorded in February 2024.”

    The report said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans increased by 106.78 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N596.96 in March 2023 to N1,234.40 in March 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 4.79 per cent from the N1,177.93 recorded in February 2024.”

    The NBS said that the average price of 1kg of white garri increased by 112.34 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N353.16 in March 2023 to N749.89 in March 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of white garri increased by 3.66 per cent from N723.45 recorded in February 2024 to N749.89 in March 2024.”

    In addition, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber rose by 141.25 per cent on a year-on-year basis from the N443.02 recorded in March 2023 to N1,068.78 in March 2024.

    “On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 5.87 per cent from N1,009.56 recorded in February 2024 to N1,068. in March 2024.”

    On state profile analysis, the report showed that in March 2024, the highest average price of 1kg of boneless beef was recorded in Kwara at N5,500, while the lowest was recorded in Benue at N3,400.22.

    It said that Niger recorded the highest average price of 1kg of local rice at N1,699.98, while the lowest was recorded in Benue at N985.83.

    The NBS said that the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans was recorded in Ondo at N1,596.68, while the lowest price was recorded in Sokoto at N745.5

    According to the report, Ogun recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N1,021.13, while the lowest was reported in Benue at N490.55.

    It said Edo recorded the highest average price of 1kg of yam tuber at N1,695.13, while the least average price was recorded in Katsina at N723.39.

    Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of boneless beef was highest in the South-South at N5,087.89, followed by the South-East at N4,877.51.

    “The lowest price was recorded in the North-West at N3,577.50.”

    The South-West and South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg of local rice at N1,526.95 and N1,469.39, respectively, while the lowest price was in the North-West at N1,104.96.

    The report said that the South-East recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans at N1,465.87, followed by the South-South at N1,459.22, while the North-West recorded the lowest price at N863.22.

    The NBS also said that the South-West and South-East recorded the highest average price of 1kg of white garri at N894.51 and N835.67, respectively.

    “The North-West recorded the lowest price of 1kg of white garri at N618.32.”

  • CARTOON OF THE DAY: What is causing rise in food prices

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: What is causing rise in food prices

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: What is causing rise in food prices

  • Agric Minister blames rise in food prices on climate change

    Agric Minister blames rise in food prices on climate change

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, says climate change poses significant risks to food security by reducing crop yields and increasing food prices.

    Kyari stated this at a joint news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, on Agricultural production utilisation of seasonal climate prediction by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

    He also said that climate change had disrupted supply chains, particularly in vulnerable regions with limited adaptive capacity.

    Kyari said that the added importance of the Seasonal Prediction was highlighted by the vagaries of climate change world-wide.

    “It is clearly the case now that the native knowledge and wisdom on which small-holder farmers often relied to cultivate their fields, are inadequate under the relentless impact of climate change.

    “Accordingly, managing climate risks in the agriculture sector through climate information and early warning services are important tools.

    “In other words, integrating meteorological information as part of support services to agricultural production helps reduce losses to extreme weather events.

    It  also take advantage to maximise the benefits of favourable weather,” he said.

    The minister said that small-holder farmers were primary and significant players in Nigeria’s agricultural space, with rain-fed  being the predominant practice.

    “But rain-fed agriculture is susceptible to elements of climate change, such as flood and drought, if no concrete action is taken to adapt to erratic weather conditions,” he said.

    He said that the Ministry and NIMET in 2023 commenced the implementation of cascading climate information to Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Oyo, Rivers, and Yobe, as well as the FCT.

    Also speaking, the Director -General , NIMET, Prof. Charles Anosike, said the event would further strengthen the relationship between NIMET and the ministry.

    He said that the agency would like to build on the ministry’s database of farmers to disseminate weather and climate predictions to the smallholders farmers.

    Anosike said  NIMET is right now using platforms like radio, National Television, social media, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC ) and different languages to integrate meteorological information to farmers.

    “We have Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa and pidgin, now we are trying to explore SMS. So, building on the database of farmers is a critical element that we want to explore moving forward,” he said.

    He said that the issue of food security required consistent and deliberate efforts from all stakeholders not just to cooperate but to empower and equip farmers.

    In a presentation, NIMET said that crops were sensitive to climate change, including changes in temperature and precipitation.

  • Why price of bread is skyrocketing – Bakers

    Why price of bread is skyrocketing – Bakers

    Premium Bread Makers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) has given reasons why the price of bread continues to rise in the country, despite appreciation of the Naira against the Dollar.

    The President of PBAN, Emmanual Onuorah made the reasons known during a presentation on Arise News’ Global Business Report on Tuesday.

    Onuorah explained that the 15 per cent Wheat Development Levy by the federal government on bread and the cost of other inputs are responsible for the high cost of the commodity.

    The price of a loaf of bread rose to around N2,000 in February after bakers reported an increase in a bag of flour from N37,000 to N42,000 and sugar from N62,000 to N72,000.

    The Naira has gained against the Dollar from N1,700 in February to nearly N1,000 in April.

    Onuorah explained that wheat constitutes 60 to 65 percent of bread, which he said is imported from Ukraine, Russia, and other parts of the world.

    “Since this crisis (Russia/Ukraine war) started about three years ago, it has led to an upending of our pricing structure regarding wheat. As a country Nigeria produces, we can grow wheat in 15 states,” he said.

    The PBAN president said bread makers pay a 15 per cent Wheat Development Levy, which he stressed is transferred to the final consumers.

    “For instance, they (federal government) take 15 percent for every bread that you eat, for every flour that we buy, 15 percent of it is taken for wheat development level.

    “Cumulatively, the duty on wheat is 30 per cent and 15 per cent Wheat Development Levy that Jonathan initiated in June 2012 and was supposed to be adopted as a stopgap. But it’s still there till today.

    “They are supposed to use it for R&D and all of it. But it’s still the same thing, redoing corruption and all that. We are not getting the benefit of that.

    “And that’s why we’ve been asking the government to remove this thing, and place a moratorium on wheat imports since Nigerians are hungry.

    “So, we’ll keep pushing on the pressure. That’s why we are a pressure group. And we must use our platform to ensure that Nigerians also get cheap bread,” Onuorah said.

    He also said the cost of diesel, electricity bills and other inputs are responsible for the price increase.

  • FG moves to tackle astronomical rise in food prices

    FG moves to tackle astronomical rise in food prices

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has revealed plans to intensify monitoring and enforcement in formal and informal markets to ensure that business owners do not unfairly inflate prices.

    Dr Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, was reacting to complaints by consumers that in spite of the appreciation of the Naira against the dollar, prices of goods were still increasing.

    Abdullahi said in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, that the situation was unacceptable, and the Commission was committed to protecting consumers from exploitation.

    He said that the operatives of FCCPC would work with trade associations, farmer groups, and other stakeholders to combat price-fixing, and dismantle cartels.

    This, according to Abdullahi, will encourage increased competition and ultimately lead to lower prices for consumers.

    ”The FCCPC understands the significant financial strain these rising prices are placing on Nigerian households. As a result, the Commission is taking proactive steps to addressing this issue.

    ”While the FCCPC cannot directly regulate prices, the Commission will utilise its existing legal framework to enforce fair competition and consumer protection provisions.

    ”This includes monitoring and investigating unusual price hikes, addressing complaints filed by consumers, and taking action against any businesses found to be engaging in anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing, price gouging or cartel formation.

    ”The Commission remains committed to educating consumers about their rights and empowering them to make informed choices.

    ”We will engage in advocacy and public awareness campaigns to raise awareness about price gouging and other unfair trade practices and provide guidance on how to identify and report such practices.

    ”We will collaborate with relevant regulatory bodies to develop a comprehensive and coordinated response to anti-competitive practices, price gouging, and other consumer protection issues,” he said.

    He encouraged consumers to continue to report suspected price gouging and other unfair trade practices through contact@fccpc.gov.ng.

    ”Together, we can work towards a more stable, fair, and competitive marketplace for all Nigerians.”

  • Ex-President Obasanjo advises FG on how to curb food insecurity

    Ex-President Obasanjo advises FG on how to curb food insecurity

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has charged the Federal Government to engage youths in agricultural business to provide jobs for unemployed youths and curb food insecurity.

    The former president made the remark at Nigeria’s 9th International Trade Exhibition & Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing and Packaging in Lagos on Tuesday.

    The conference had the theme: “Nigeria’s Technology Investments: Driving growth in Agrofood, Plastics, printing and packaging.”

    Obasanjo said if the government and the private sector could get restive youths employed, there would be less people involved in banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

    “With our teeming population and the problem we have of our youths going over the desert and risking their lives, what we can we do is to give them enough employments.

    “The area we are sure that can provide enough employments for our youths is agricultural business.

    “Even though, when we talk about agriculture not many of them will want to go to the farm, they will rather go for white collar jobs.

    “However, the youth need to get their hands dirty and their feet wet in agricultural business.

    “The government can improve on our security, and part of our security are the men and women that are not properly engaged or employed.

    “If we are able to give them employment then there will be less of them getting involved in banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities,” he said.

    Obasanjo said the need for agribusiness was to ensure food security, nutrition security, employment and wealth creation, poverty elimination and income generation, particularly foreign exchange earnings.

    “These are the reasons why we must take agricultural business serious and these are the reasons why this conference is necessary and I congratulate the organisers for it,” noted.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the federal government was collaborating with stakeholders across board for the necessary transformation in the food system required for the immediate and long-term interventions.

    Kyari said this was in response to the declaration of emergency on food and water by President Bola Tinubu; the food security pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “As an immediate response, we have called for partnerships across board and repurposed various interventions to help ramp up the production of staple commodities.

    “This is starting with wheat in the dry season, dovetailing into rice and maize, and then to cassava and soybeans in the rainy season. These staple crops also support livestock and fisheries feed production.

    “In this effort, we are building an ecosystem where each stakeholder plays a role in supporting farmers, especially small holder farmers, to improve production and productivity.

    “By reaching out to our governors, we are witnessing much-needed investments and support being made across the country along different value chains.

    “A key challenge is the issue of data for identifying genuine farmers.

    “In this regard, we are leveraging ICT and partnering with state governments and other stakeholders to ensure we target real farmers with our support to enable actual production,” said Kyari.

    The minister said the government was also working on improving efficiency in the value chains through mechanisation.

    He said the recent MoU with John Deere to increase the number of tractors by 10,000 in the country at the rate of 2,000 per annum was one such efforts.

    In his welcome address , Mr Paul Maerz, the Managing Director, of Fairtrade Masse, said Nigeria’s investments in food and packaging technology were soaring, positioning the nation as a key player in Africa.

    He said the country was trailing only South Africa and leading Egypt.

    Maerz, the organiser of the exhibition, explained that the country’s food production had witnessed a remarkable surge of 40 per cent in recent years.

    He added that this was from 26 billion euros in 2016 to 36 billion euros in 2020, projected to rise by 48 per cent between 2021 and 2024, from 42 billion euros to 63 billion euros.

    The organisers said despite significant investments in local food production, Nigeria remained one of Africa’s foremost food importers and food imports were surging further.

  • Sad! Four trampled to death in stampede for free food in Bauchi

    Sad! Four trampled to death in stampede for free food in Bauchi

    Four people have lost their lives in a stampede during an almsgiving zakat exercise for the poor in Bauchi State.

    The stampede occurred at the Shafa Holdings Company plc headquarters along Jos Road, on Sunday at about 10 am.

    Another individual, 17-year-old Naima Abdullahi, is currently receiving medical treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.

    The police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, verified the incident to a national tv station and guaranteed that the situation is currently stable. He stated that the police acted swiftly upon hearing the news, and the police commissioner encouraged the public to stay composed.

    On visiting the scene, the crowd had been dispersed, and police vehicles were stationed in the area. However, a few women were still waiting outside in anticipation of further disbursement.

    As at the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released by the company.