The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) has said that non-compliance to global food standards and food safety could constitute barriers to optimal export of Nigerian foods.
This was revealed by Joseph Oneh Abu, a professor and president of NIFST, while briefing journalists in Umuahia, Abia State, on the start of the Institute’s 47th Annual Conference, which is being held at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, and is themed ‘Nigerian foods for the global market.’
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According to Abu, the issue was chosen on purpose to highlight Abia’s entrepreneurial spirit as well as the necessity to critically assess and propose feasible solutions to hurdles to Nigerian food competitiveness in the global domain.
He that his Institute believes that Nigerian foods have the potential to compete at the international market, adding that Nigeria should not relent until it reverses the current unpleasant situation where It imports more than three times the value of foods she exports.
According to the NIFST President, the global food market was valued at more than $7 trillion in 2022 and is forecast to reach $10 trillion by 2027, with factors such as population increase and changing dietary habits driving this expected development.
On behalf of the Institute, he congratulated the Federal Government on the formation of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFST) in October 2029.
“The establishment of NiCFoT signifies a very important milestone in Nigeria’s history as that body is responsible for the regulation of the practice and profession of Food Science and Technology in the Country,” he added.
Abu appealed to President Bola Tinubu to inauguate the Council as soon as possible to enable its full operations as enshrined in its Establishment Act of 2019.
The President pledged the commitment of the Institute in supporting the growth and development of the Nigerian food sector in all spheres.
He also expressed the optimism that through the partnership of all stakeholders, Nigerian foods can become successful global brands.
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