By Vincent Obi
Awka – A statement by Mojisola Adeoye,
Director-General (DG) of NAFDAC, that cooked food stored in the refrigerator for over 3 days can be harmful for consumption, is eliciting different reactions from residents of Anambra state.
NAFDAC, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, has cautioned Nigerians not to store cooked food in refrigerators for over 3 days or face possible consequences of food poison.
In Awka, the Anambra state capital, residents reacted to the comments differently – some dismissing the comments while others agreeing to such possiblity.
Agreeing with the assertion, Dr Emma Ude-Akpeh, a pharmacist, advised Nigerians to comply with the NAFDAC suggestion.
Ude-Akpeh said that poor electricity supply in the country makes the matter even worse because when there is no power, refrigerated cooked food loses its value.
“My honest advise is for people to cook in bits and avoid wastage by throwing away contaminated food,” he said.
Mrs Azuka Okafor said that the NAFDAC call is apt and food wastage is painful at the moment because of the harsh economic situation in the country.
Okafor said that refrigerators are meant to help mothers plan their homes and store food in advance while they engage in their daily business activities.
Mrs Ifeoma Ezekwube said that the comment may only be applicable to Nigerians due to the unsteady power supply but that in the western world, where electricity is always available, such comments cannot be true.
Ezekwube advised the people to abide by the NAFDAC directives for their own good instead of eating and failing ill.
Mr Okwy Agu, a caterer, agreed with the comment, saying when he stores food in the fridge for days, such food loses its original taste.
“We now make food on order and give time frame for delivery,” he said.
Mrs Oby Nwoye said that this directive will lead to over warming of leftover foods and if they are kept for 3 to 4 days, they could go bad.
Nwoye appealed to NAFDAC to throw more light on how best to handle the challenges.
