AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE NIGERIAN BREAD SUPPLY CHAIN

Abstract

The current study examined food safety practices in the bread supply chain in Nigeria; usingEkiti State as a case study. Specifically the study examined the bread supply chain, potentialbread supply chain quality deterrents, food safety arrangements in the bread supply chainand the level of compliance to food safety regulations. A descriptive cross-sectional surveywas used to select thirty-two (32) bakers and ninety six (96) bread sellers. Though most of therespondents were found to have had basic primary school education, their food hygiene andsanitation knowledge was poor while standard food safety regulations were poorly adheredto. Bread sellers’ retailing apparatus and environment were not ideal for safe handling ofbread to the final consumers. The various agencies charged with food safety mandates werealso found to be passive in their responsibility to educate and enforce food safety laws. Thestudy recommends prompt and adequate enlightenment of bread bakers and retailers on theills of unsafe bread by, agencies mandated to cover food health matters, favourablegovernment policies, provision of soft loans for equipments, food hygiene and environmentand the orientation of the citizenry on safe food to influence healthy practices by the handlersof bread.