Stop storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days – NAFDAC Director warns

The NAFDAC director also mentioned that food security is everyone’s business to take serious.

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Moji Adeyeye has urged Nigerians to refrain from storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days.

According to her, food stored in the refrigerator for more than three days is susceptible to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, which are key agents of foodborne diseases and can lead to death.

This she said in a statement on Tuesday signed by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola.

In commemoration of the 2024 World Food Safety Day with the theme, ‘Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected’, Adeyeye urged stakeholders in the food manufacturing and supply industry to incorporate food safety culture in their operations, in order to mitigate food hazards and risks that could compromise food safety.

Her statement read the parts, “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 also mentioned that food safety is not only important for public health, but an indispensable element for economic development and food security.

She noted that food security should not just be a business of producers, but also a concern for consumers, as she urged everyone to play their part.

“Let us all stay true to the statements ‘food safety is everyone’s business’ and ‘food safety is a shared responsibility’ as we celebrate this year’s World Food Safety Day. Working together, we will continue to strengthen our food safety system, ensuring its resilience, robustness, and preparedness for the unexpected,” she added.

The World Food Safety Day, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly task force in 2018, is celebrated annually on June 7.