NAFDAC Warns Against Storing Cooked Food in Refrigerators for Over Three Days

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has advised Nigerians to avoid storing cooked food in refrigerators for more than three days to prevent foodborne illnesses.

This caution was issued in a statement signed by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, on Tuesday.

The agency warned that extended storage of cooked food in refrigerators can lead to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, posing serious health risks.

“Prof. Adeyeye urged Nigerians to refrain from storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days, warning that such food is susceptible to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, which are key agents of foodborne diseases that can lead to death,” parts of the statement read.

Speaking at the 2024 World Food Safety Day, themed ‘Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected,’ Prof. Adeyeye appealed to stakeholders in the food supply chain to adopt a robust food safety culture to minimize hazards and risks.

She emphasized that food safety is crucial not only for public health but also for economic development, and called on everyone, from producers to consumers, to play their part in ensuring food safety.

“Let us all stay true to the statements ‘food safety is everyone’s business’ and ‘food safety is a shared responsibility’ as we mark this year’s World Food Safety Day.

Working together, we will continue to strengthen our food safety system, ensuring its resilience, robustness, and preparedness for the unexpected,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 600 million people globally – nearly one in 10 – fall ill after consuming contaminated food each year, with 420,000 fatalities resulting in the loss of 33 million healthy life years.