The Federal Government has intensified plans to phase out traditional food-processing equipment, particularly locally fabricated grinding machines known for emitting harmful substances, as part of efforts to safeguard public health and promote responsible manufacturing in the country.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Ude, made this known in Lagos at a National Workshop for Fabricators themed “Standardizing Excellence: The Transition to Food-Grade Materials in Local Fabrication,” organized by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO).
One of the major highlights of the workshop was the exhibition and demonstration of modern food-grade stainless-steel milling machines, which fabricators are expected to adopt in place of the traditional machines made with materials that may release poisonous substances during food processing.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Phillip Ndiomu, described the continued use of old grinding machines as a serious public-health concern, noting that many of the traditional machines release harmful substances that mix with food during grinding.
He explained that studies have linked such contaminants to several health complications, warning that government can no longer ignore the dangers posed by substandard fabrication materials.
According to him, the Ministry has already taken decisive steps to ensure the gradual phase-out of grinding machines that are not made with food-grade stainless steel, while also encouraging local fabricators to align quickly with the new safety standards in the interest of protecting the lives of Nigerians.
Dr. Ndiomu, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of the modern milling machines displayed at the workshop, said the Federal Government is already engaging state governments, the Federal Capital Territory administration, and the National Assembly to ensure effective implementation of the policy.
“I am truly impressed with what we have seen today. As the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, I have the responsibility of overseeing all the agencies under the ministry. FIIRO is one of the seventeen-plus-one agencies, and this is only the second agency I have visited so far. From what I have observed today, I am encouraged by the level of commitment, the work being done, and the potential for even greater achievements in the future,” he said.
He added that the Minister is already engaging governors across the 36 states and the FCT, as well as the National Assembly, to ensure that the transition from harmful traditional machines to food-grade equipment is implemented gradually but effectively.
The Minister also emphasized that the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader plan to commercialize research outcomes in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the Ministry is working to build a strong research ecosystem where innovations developed in laboratories will be transformed into products that improve the daily lives of Nigerians.
He further explained that improving fabrication standards would not only protect public health but also help local manufacturers compete effectively in both national and international markets.
Dr. Ude also called for increased support for FIIRO and greater public awareness, urging the media to partner with the government in sensitizing the public and fabricators on the dangers of substandard food-processing equipment.
In her welcome address, the Director-General of FIIRO, Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa, said the workshop was organized to further sensitize fabricators, especially in view of what she described as the slow response to the government’s initiative.
She noted that many locally fabricated machines are still produced with materials that may contain harmful contaminants, including heavy metals, which pose long-term health risks to consumers and limit Nigeria’s ability to compete in international food-processing markets.
According to her, the transition to food-grade stainless steel is not only necessary for public health but also critical to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capacity and improving the quality of locally fabricated equipment.
In a technical presentation titled “Food-Grade Stainless Production: The Need in Nigeria,” the Technical Assistant to the Director-General of FIIRO, Dr. Basil Ikotun, stressed that the major objective of the workshop was to encourage fabricators to shift from traditional fabrication methods to modern standards using approved food-grade materials.
He explained that adopting the new standards would greatly improve public health and help Nigeria gradually phase out unsafe equipment used in food processing across markets nationwide.
The workshop also featured exhibitions of several innovations developed by FIIRO that are ready for commercialization, while some participating fabricators expressed willingness to adopt the new standards but called on the Federal Government to support them, especially in view of the rising cost of raw materials.
“This is a national issue. If we adopt food-grade stainless materials in fabrication, we will improve public health and gradually eliminate the old machines that pose risks to consumers,” Dr. Ikotun said.
The event was attended by stakeholders from research institutions, regulatory agencies, and the fabrication industry, who all described the workshop as timely and crucial to improving food safety and strengthening Nigeria’s industrial future.
Reporting By Innocent Onoh