11th March, 2024
The Oyo State Government has placed a ban on the the use of styrofoam for serving, packing and storing food.
The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, made this announcement on Monday during the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum and the inauguration of the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force. The Task Force is set up to oversee the enforcement of food safety rules and regulations in Oyo State.
Ajetummobi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Akintunde Ayinde, said: “Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence the need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives in the state.
“The menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, packaging, and other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become great public health concerns in the state.
“The directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services is saddled with the responsibility to regulate food business operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the state, planned to double her efforts to monitor/inspect food business premises in the state.
“Consequently, the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in the state is also banned”.