Breaking: Oyo State bans the use of styrofoam

Styrofoam was banned on Monday by the Oyo State government for usage in food service, storage, and other related uses.

According to OpaPost, on Thursday, February 8, 2024, the state House of Assembly recommended the state administration to outlaw the use of Styrofoam in food preparation.

In order to supervise the state’s implementation of food safety laws and regulations, it established the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force.

This is happening in Oyo 40 days after Lagos State Government began prohibiting the use and sale of single-use plastics, such as Styrofoam, across the state in January.

The decision was made as part of government efforts to uphold food safety standards, according to state commissioner for health Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who made this announcement during the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum and task force inauguration held in the ministry’s conference room, Secretariat, Agodi in the state capital of Ibadan.

Ajetunmobi, who was ably represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Akintunde Ayinde, stated that, “People must strictly adhere to food standards to save lives in the state. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure,”

“The menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, packaging, and other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become great public health concerns in the state.

“The directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services is expected to double her efforts to monitor/inspect food business premises in the state. The directorate is tasked with regulating food business operations to assure the presentation of wholesome delicacies for public consumption in the state.

“Consequently, the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in the state is also banned.” She announced.

The commissioner clarified that the task force would educate those involved in the food chain about the significance of the government’s enforcement of food safety regulations.

Afusat Akande, the ministry’s director of food, water, and laboratory services, had already outlined the prerequisites that participants in the food chain must fulfill in order to receive certification.

According to Akande, the prerequisites included regular medical fitness certifications from approved state government hospitals, proof of regular fumigation of production facilities by a recognized consultant from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and an analysis of the water quality by a recognized consultant from the Ministry of Health, among others.

The task force’s leader, Permanent Secretary Ayinde, pledged to collaborate with the ministry to meet the goal.

The state Food Safety Management Committee, the Nigeria Police Force, the Association of Table Water Producers, the Association of Canteen Workers, and numerous other organizations are represented on the task force.