The Oyo State Government has officially prohibited the use of styrofoam for food services, storage, and related purposes.
According to The PUNCH, the state House of Assembly had requested the government ban the use of styrofoam for food in the state on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
In response, the government has established the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force to ensure that food safety regulations are followed in the state.
During the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum and the task force’s inauguration at the ministry’s conference room in Agodi, Ibadan, the state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, announced this decision as part of the government’s commitment to maintaining food safety standards.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Akintunde Ayinde, Ajetunmobi said, “Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence the need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives in the state.
“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 saddled with the responsibility to regulate food business operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the state, planned to double her efforts to monitor and inspect food business premises in the state.
“Consequently, the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in the state is also banned.” She declared.
The commissioner stated that the task force will educate everyone involved in the food industry about the government’s emphasis on implementing food safety standards.
