NAFDAC warns against storing cooked food in refrigerator for more than three days

Nigerians have been advised not to keep cooked food in the refrigerator for longer than three days by Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Director General of the National Agency for Food and Administration and Control. 

Adeyeye issued a warning that cooked food kept in the fridge for several days might get contaminated by microorganisms that cause illness, which are major contributors to foodborne illnesses that can be fatal. 

Adeyeye revealed this in a statement on Tuesday that Sayo Akintola, the agency's resident media consultant, signed.

Adeyeye urged those involved in the food supply chain to take intentional steps to implement a food safety culture in their operations in order to reduce food hazards and risks that could compromise food safety. Adeyeye made this statement in honour of the 2024 World Food Safety Day, which has as its theme, "Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected." 

The United Nations General Assembly task force created the World Food Safety Day, which is observed on June 7 every year, in 2018 to promote public awareness and actions to prevent, detect, and address public health concerns associated with contaminated food.

The statement partly read, “She however, urged Nigerians to refrain from storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days, warning that cooked food stored in the refrigerator for days is susceptible to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, key agents of foodborne diseases that can lead to death.”

Adeyeye stated that food safety is essential for both economic growth and food security, in addition to being vital for public health. 

She emphasised that everyone must do their part to ensure food safety, from producers to consumers, and that food safety is a shared duty.

Source