Nigeria suffers from extreme levels of micronutrient deficiencies affecting the health, death rates, brain and physical development of the majority of Nigerians.To assess this existing evidence, and the remaining data gaps, this State of the Nation review provides a multi-sectoral analysis of all the available data from the last 10 years, from 2012 to 2021.
To understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) relevant to food safety among both food consumers and vendors, EatSafe conducted three studies under the umbrella of this quantitative formative assessment in Kebbi State, Nigeria, including structured consumer and vendor surveys and direct observations of vendor behaviors in the market.
In this Scoping Review, 116 relevant studies were identified, with most focusing on one state/city, urban areas, vendors, and practices. Studies suggest ‘knowledge’ and ‘attitude’ to be better than actual ‘practices’. Food safety practices of consumers often aligned with those of vendors. Training may help improve knowledge, but rigorous evaluation is needed.
Nigeria’s delivery of a pathway for food systems transformation in advance of the first United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021 is evidence of strong political commitment to transformative food systems action. It is increasingly recognised that food system issues must be tackled in a coherent way to capitalise on synergies existing across domains like nutrition, agriculture, health, and the environment.
Tanzania’s comprehensive process of holding national and subnational dialogues, which informed its pathway document for the United Nations Food Systems Summit, is evidence of a strong political commitment to food systems transformation.
This report includes the findings of two reviews: one focused on hazard in foods consumed in Ethiopia, and the other on beverages.
Ethiopia’s 2018 Food and Nutrition Policy cited food safety as critical to improving nutrition and public health, with responsibility for implementation spread across a dozen federal governing bodies. Food safety regulations omit traditional markets where many Ethiopians buy and sell food. Without compliance rules, some vendors are untrained and lack licenses to operate – increasing food safety risks.
In Nigeria, recent regulatory efforts to prioritize food safety resulted in the draft National Food Safety and Quality Bill, which has yet to be enacted into law but currently awaits a final reading by Nigeria’s 9th National Assembly.
India’s delivery of a pathway document for food systems transformation, in advance of the first United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021, is evidence of a political commitment to transformative food systems action.
Through its Food Systems Summit Member State Dialogues and National Pathway, Ethiopia has shown strong political commitment to transforming its food system. The need to address food issues systemically is increasingly recognised. We can no longer afford progress in one area driving setbacks in another.
