The Oyo State government has criminalised the use of Styrofoam for food purposes.
The development was made known by the state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi.
The latter communicated the ban during a Food Safety Stakeholders Forum and Inauguration of a Task Force on Food Safety Standards in Ibadan on Monday.
Ajetunmobi stated that the decision is in line with government’s efforts to uphold food safety standards in the state.
Represented by Akintunde Ayinde, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, the commissioner said: “Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence the need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives in the state.
“The menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, packaging, and other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become great public health concerns in the state.
“The Directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services is saddled with the responsibility to regulate food business operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the state, planned to double her efforts to monitor/inspect food business premises in the state.
“Consequently, the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in the state is also banned.”
