The increasing growth and globalisation of the food and agriculture industry markets, advances in science and technology and changes in consumer habits, require a national food safety system that are capable of dealing with the challenges demanded by consumers and trade. This was the spear point of the United Nations Industry Development Organisation(UNIDO) workshop in proficiency testing held in Lagos. DANIEL ESSIET reports.
Recent reports of a rice product recall, following the discovery of a banned colorant in South Africa, highlighted the need for reliable product testing.
The testing found Methyl Yellow and Sudan 1 – which can make food unsafe because of the possible toxicity and carcinogenic properties. Both substances described by the World Health Organisation(WHO) as representing possible risk to human health, are prohibited and unsafe for human consumption.
Incidents like this are also been tackled by Nigerian health and agrifood inspectorate officials as a lot of food products with illegal colorants which ought to have been identified have passed through the borders and seaports.
In addition, there have been cases of mycotoxins being collected from complete feed and premix and the results were quite alarming. This has been shown to have not only impacted on animal performance but also on consumer safety, necessitating the call to ensure existing testing laboratories are up to scratch to conducting comprehensive analytical chemistry proficiency testing scheme in the food sector.
Experts discovered that while some laboratories have many checks and controls in place, only a national proficiency testing scheme could provide the fully independent external checks required to impartially assess the accuracy of their procedures.
This informed the organisation of a national workshop on Proficiency Testing Seminar/Training according to ISO 17043:2010, organised by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in Lagos (UNIDO).
Speaking at the event, the Representative and Regional Director, UNIDO, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, said the availability of safe food is the result of an integrated approach in which all players in the chain have specific responsibilities and implies the assurance of safety in all stages of production, processing, storage and distribution.
To this end, he said a robust national food accreditation system is what Nigeria should dream of, if she is to produce food products that meet international quality standards.
Kormawa said accomplishing this, however, require innovative criteria, creativity and a willingness for teamwork, in both the public and the private sector and analytical laboratories to ensure safety given the complexity of the food production chain.
Kormawa ,who spoke through Lead expert, accreditation, Mr. Stephen Cross, said Nigeria needs quality laboratories to carry out various types of analysis.
He explained that the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) for Nigeria Project is a 12 million Euro Project and part of the collaborative initiatives of the European Union, UNIDO and the Federal Government to stimulate the competitiveness of Nigeria.
The goal, according to him, is to prepare Nigeria for an economic future that is built on a platform of inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
His words: “Nigeria is fast shedding its reputation as a mono-product economy and, in line with recent economic policies of the Federal Government, more sectors have been identified that exhibit Nigeria’s comparative advantage. The Food and Beverage industry is clearly a strong leader in this category. I am pleased to inform you that today’s event prepares us to achieve one of the five objectives of the NQI Project – the Establishment of a National Accreditation Body.”
Kormawa said the NQI Project aims to support the improvement and establishment of standards and quality control agencies in order to advance the quality of products and services exchanged in the Nigerian and international markets – the goal is to improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s private sector and ensure the protection of its consumers.
He noted that the project objective is pursuing the enthronement of the best practice principles ,adding that this would help all laboratories in the country qualify to meet the accreditation requirements outlined by the ISO 17025 standard.
Kormawa stressed the importance of proficiency testing as a requirement for establishing an accreditation framework to support trade and industrial growth for businesses and the economy.
He commended the role played by European Union (EU) to support this initiative together with UNIDO to help develop a conducive environment for a localised accreditation services and ensuring that the different elements of Nigeria’s Quality Infrastructure support the recommendations set out in ISO/IEC 17043, General Requirements for Proficiency Testing Scheme Providers.
He said UNIDO and the EU place great reliance on the role of laboratories as the bedrock of quality assurance systems to ensure that products and services traded in Nigeria conform to standards requirements for safety, integrity and marketability.
The outcome, he explained , would lead to greater trust in the Nigerian manufacturing sector, increase demand for ‘made-in-Nigeria’ products and a Nigerian economy that is more competitive for international trade.
He said European Union has funded this National Quality Infrastructure Project to achieve five major objectives: “The promulgation of a National Quality Policy, the establishment of a national accreditation body, helped with equipment and training for the national metrology institute, facilitation of private sector participation and support to conformity assessment bodies, participation of the consumer protection council and other stakeholders in the nqi project through training and creating awareness on quality and consumer protection,we are working closely with the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment and promoting synergies with other ministries, departments and agencies as well as the organised private sector to meet these targets.”
In his presentation, an international expert on proficiency testing, Mr Anthony Irungu, stressed that the implementation of quality and safety assurance system is a challenge which can be addressed through system of control and inspection based on laboratory testing.
The system, he added, also needs to be adjusted and staffed with trained personnel able to audit safety in the production chain on the basis of laboratories results.
He stressed the need for a strong training component to strengthen the food safety system to address risk-based preventive controls, produce safety and adulteration.
To achieve this ,he noted that testing has to be used in conjunction with standard verification measures in the food safety system.
While this is recognized , Irungu noted that knowing the state of the laboratories and standards for testing are critical.
While, the laboratories exist, he emphasized improving the skills and training of the lab workforce, quality control processes employed, or access to technology.
Irungu said training should include independent private laboratories and labs run and operated by federal agencies, states, or localities that demonstrate a capability to conduct one or more sampling and analytical testing methodologies for food and the beverage sector.
For a lab to become accredited for a specific sampling or analytical testing methodology, he said it must meet model laboratory standards..These standards,according to him should include methods that ensure appropriate sampling, analytical procedures, and that international available techniques are followed.
Cross said continuing remarkable run of economic growth will require businesses and governments to take more deliberate and purposeful steps to boost food safety.
Cross,who spoke with The Nation at the sidelines of a workshop in Lagos said improving standards of accreditation of laboratory has a huge role in responding to the challenge of shaping the nation’ competitiveness.
He said UNIDO was determined to help Nigeria build an accreditation system infrastructure to support the agility of the global production economy.
An accreditation, he noted, is necessary if Nigeria is going to become a recognized player within the international marketplace and this require ensure products and services are of the highest quality and recognised standards.
He said UNIDO places great emphasis on the improvement of the quality of the country’s products and services, for both the local and export markets, and this is the central focus of the implementation of proficiency testing schemes and the strategic intent on quality, quality assurance as well as on the overall development, enhancement and improvement of all quality infrastructure countrywide.
To this end, Cross said the organisation is promoting upgrading and accreditation of d Testing facilities to strengthen the standardization process.
Another Consultant, Engr Charles Okoro said accreditation also has a positive impact on the general public by stimulating higher standards of quality within laboratories. This, he said, would lead to more consistently reliable test data, thereby contributing to more effective safety regulation and to products of more consistent quality. Because the science of accreditation continues to improve, he said holding laboratories to even higher standards, will bring more public benefits.
According to him, internationally recognised accreditation bodies around the globe are committed to this improved accreditation system and to maximizing the benefits of laboratory accreditation for all stakeholders.
The general requirements for laboratory competence, he noted are described in the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. This standard establishes a global baseline for the accreditation of all types of laboratories. Since its origin in the late 1970s, ISO/IEC 17025 (formerly known as ISO Guide 25) emphasizes competence of laboratories to perform specified tests, not just mere compliance with requirements.
Recognition of such competence, he noted, requires that laboratories obtain accreditation. The accreditation involves on-site and performance assessments as well as ongoing proficiency testing.
Accreditation of, especially, the chemical laboratories, he noted, is very important as testing capacity is expanded to cover needs of industry regulatory and consumer protection.
The accreditation, he added, is highly significant as it creates confidence in product tests, inspection and certification, which results in increased market access of export products from Nigeria.
