By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said training, screening, and issuance of certificate of fitness to food, water and beverage handlers in the territory remain l under its purview.
Director Department of Public Health, Mr Abdulrahman Sadiq, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja.
He said that the clarification became necessary to ensure that relevant stakeholders, particularly those in the hospitality industry were all on the same page.
Sadiq noted that training, screening, and certification of all food handlers was necessary to curb the outbreak of diseases caused by poor or unhealthy handling of food for public consumption.
He said that people operating restaurants, hotels, food processors, and those in the hospitality industry in general must be screened every six months and be certified fit to handle food for public consumption.
This, according to him, is to ensure that every food that the members of the public consume are safe and will not lead to food poisoning or outbreak of any diseases.
“The goal is to ensure public safety and to curtail the outbreak of diseases either because the people handling the food are not healthy, or the environment is not hygienic enough.
“This conference is organised to ensure that FCTA and relevant stakeholders are all on the same page on this and to also strengthen working synergy among stakeholders including Abuja Municipal Area Council,” he said.
Mrs Comfort Fasanya, Director, Legal Services, HHSS, explained that the challenge of who should train, screen, and certify food handlers in the FCT between FCTA and AMAC has been put to rest.
