BY: NWAEBIEM JENNIFER NWAKAIFE
The global campaign against hunger and malnutrition has renewed attention to the importance of the right to safe and nutritious food, as agricultural stakeholders, governments, and international organisations seek sustainable solutions to food insecurity and foodborne diseases across the world.
The World Food Prize, established in 1986 by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recognises outstanding contributions to improving the quality, quantity, and availability of food globally. Its broader mission highlights the importance of agricultural innovation, sustainable food production, improved nutrition, and support for farmers in addressing the challenges of feeding a growing population.
The right to food is a fundamental human right that requires everyone to have access to adequate, nutritious, and affordable food. Food safety is equally important because contaminated food can cause serious illnesses and threaten public health. Proper food handling, hygienic processing, safe storage, and effective food safety regulations are therefore essential to protecting consumers and ensuring that food is fit for human consumption.
In Nigeria, strengthening agricultural production, supporting smallholder farmers, improving food storage and distribution, and promoting food hygiene are important steps towards reducing hunger and improving public health. Veterinary professionals also have a significant role to play by promoting animal health, ensuring hygienic meat inspection, and encouraging responsible use of veterinary medicines to help protect the safety of meat, milk, eggs, and other animal products.
As the world continues to address food insecurity, the message remains clear: producing enough food is not sufficient unless people can also afford and access food that is nutritious and safe. Governments, farmers, food businesses, and public health professionals must therefore work together to promote food safety, protect the right to food, and build a sustainable food system for present and future generations.
