AWKA/Nigeria: The Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has warned that food, regardless of its nutritional value, can become harmful and even poisonous if it is not properly prepared, handled and stored.
Dr. Soludo, founder of the Healthy Living Initiative, gave the warning in a message to commemorate the 2026 World Food Safety Day, urging residents to adopt safe food handling practices to protect themselves and their families from preventable illnesses.
World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7, is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of contaminated food and promoting actions that help prevent, detect and manage food-borne diseases.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is: “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.”
Speaking on the significance of the day, the governor’s wife described food safety as a critical pillar of healthy living, stressing that good health depends not only on what people eat but also on how safely food is processed and consumed.
According to her, ensuring food safety requires collective responsibility from farmers, food processors, vendors and consumers, with strict adherence to hygiene standards during preparation, handling and storage.
She noted that contaminated food poses serious health risks and can undermine the nutritional benefits of meals meant to nourish the body.
“A nutritious meal loses its value when it is not safe for consumption.
“Your food can either be your medicine or your poison. Whatever goes into your body has the capability to heal or destroy you. You are what you eat,” she said.
Dr. Soludo urged residents to make conscious decisions about food safety and embrace practices that promote healthy living and overall well-being.
She emphasized that adherence to food safety measures would not only reduce the incidence of food-borne illnesses but also contribute to building healthier families, stronger communities and a more productive society.
The Healthy Living advocate reaffirmed her commitment to promoting wellness across Anambra State through sustained public health campaigns and awareness programmes aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles.
She also called on households, restaurant operators, food vendors and other stakeholders in the food value chain to play active roles in ensuring that food consumed by residents remains safe and fit for consumption.
“Healthy food, safe food, healthy people,” she added.
Dr. Soludo maintained that achieving a healthier society requires continuous education, vigilance and collective action to ensure that food safety standards are upheld from the farm to the dining table.
