The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has intensified efforts to combat malnutrition by ensuring that essential food items such as salt, flour, sugar, and edible oil are adequately fortified with vital vitamins and minerals.
Speaking at a strategic meeting with the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Port Harcourt, the Director General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, highlighted the urgent need to address widespread deficiencies in Vitamin A, Iron, and Iodine, particularly among children and women.
Representing the Director General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Folorunsho Bolaji, described the situation as alarming. She warned that the deficiencies are impairing learning abilities, reducing productivity, and diminishing the overall quality of life across the country.
Also Read: http://CBN Warns States Against Excessive Borrowing Amid Inflation Fight
Mrs. Bolaji called on the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry to integrate food fortification into its programmes and collaborate on massive public awareness campaigns to ensure the initiative delivers tangible results.
In his response, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Kelvin Nweke, pledged full support for SON’s mandate.
He, however, stressed the importance of synergy with relevant agencies in the Ministries of Health and Agriculture to make the awareness drive more effective and far-reaching.
Mr. Nweke also urged SON to establish a clear channel for members of the public to report food products suspected of falsifying ingredients, emphasizing the need for stricter compliance and consumer protection.
He said regulatory bodies and state government agencies need to amplify the message to tackle hidden hunger and improve the nutritional value of staple foods consumed by millions of Nigerians.
