Like Lagos, Oyo State bans the use of Styrofoam

Oyo State Government has banned using styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related purposes.

This move positions Oyo as the second state in Nigeria, following Lagos, to take such decisive action against the use of styrofoam and single-use plastics.

The decision was announced by the state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, during the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum held at the ministry’s conference room in Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. 

Ajetunmobi emphasised the government’s commitment to upholding food safety standards and safeguarding public health.

In her address, Ajetunmobi stated, “Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence, people must adhere strictly to food standards to save lives in the state.” 

She further emphasised the grave public health concerns posed by food poisoning and other sharp practices prevalent among food business operators in the state.

Ajetunmobi declared, “The use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in the state is also banned.” 

The enforcement of this ban will be overseen by the newly inaugurated Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force.

 The task force, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Akintunde Ayinde, comprises members from various stakeholders, including the state Food Safety Management Committee, the Nigeria Police Force, and relevant industry associations.

Ayinde expressed the task force’s commitment to collaborating with the ministry to achieve its objectives, affirming, “We are dedicated to ensuring strict compliance with food safety regulations across the state.”

Afusat Akande, the director of the ministry’s food, water, and laboratory services, outlined the basic requirements that actors along the food chain must meet to obtain certification.

These requirements include routine medical fitness certificates, evidence of regular fumigation of production premises, and water quality analysis.

Recall the ban on styrofoam in Lagos State faced criticism from different stakeholders and opposition.

Read: AfDB Urges Nigeria and Africa Leaders to end Poverty with Welfare Policies

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