The nitty

As the future beckons on us all, our lifestyles will definitely change, and the choices we make especially with regards to the food items we eat to boost our health matters a lot Globally, there is a growing shift to the consumption of organic foods because they offer numerous health benefits. These include the fact that they contain fewer chemical pesticides and additives to provide better nutrition as well as boosting environmental sustainability. While they may cost a little bit more, the long-term advantages for your health and the planet make them a worthwhile choice. In fact, researches have shown that people who start small and swap a few conventional items with organic ones have noticed the positive impact on their health status. So, it is important to know how organic foods are processed. Generally, they are minimally processed without the addition of artificial ingredients or synthetic preservatives. This is done to maintain the integrity of the product that began with practices on the farm. For instance, the use of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is prohibited during the production and processing of certified organic products. Sequel to this, a rigorous certification process, including periodic testing, is required. Also, irradiation is prohibited in organic processing. Organic food must be processed in an operation that has been certified to organic standards, with special steps taken to make sure the organic ingredients are not co-mingled or contaminated with non-organic materials. Several countries have set national organic standards for the methods to apply, and the practices and substances recommended for use in producing and handling crops, livestock and processed agricultural products. The standards include a national list of approved synthetic and prohibited non-synthetic substances, not only for organic production but also for food processing. The Organics Standards for Food Processing protect the food constituents so that organic ingredients are used, and encourage the avoidance of unnecessary processing. As for organic labelling it offers consumers confidence that their goods are produced under controlled organic standards. A product cannot be sold as organic without organic certification covering every step of the supply chain – so there is full traceability and authenticity behind the organic label. Interestingly, organic food chains are often much shorter so consumers can have a close connection with the production of the food they are eating With specific regards to the Nigerian situation, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulates the manufacturing, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, and sale of processed and packaged food products in Nigeria. That includes that of organic food items Going through the Nigeria Trade Information Portal there are Core Legal Mandate Enabling Laws. These are Backed by the NAFDAC Act, the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act, and the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act. The scope of oversight focuses primarily on processed, packaged, and manufactured foods, bottled water, and food additives, while raw agricultural produce and open-market traditional foods often fall under local or agricultural authorities. On Food Regulations and Requirements, beginning with product registrations, all l processed food items—both local and imported—must be registered and issued a valid NAFDAC number before public sale. Imported foods require certificates of analysis, legal compliance proof from the country of origin, and registered trademarks. These must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These state that facilities must maintain specific hygiene standards, corrosion-resistant equipment, safe potable water supplies, proper waste disposal, and adequate staff sanitation facilities. As for Prepackaged Food Labelling, labels must be written clearly in the English language and include the product name, batch number, list of ingredients, net content, storage conditions, expiration date, manufacturer details, and the NAFDAC registration number. This is worth noting to protect the health of consumers. When it comes to advertisement control, all promotional materials and advertisements for food products must undergo prior vetting and approval by NAFDAC to prevent deceptive health claims. Going by the Food Hygiene and Safety Guidelines, they cover hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), safe handling practices for micro-, medium-, and large-scale enterprises, and structured recall procedures for unwholesome or contaminated food. In all of these processes, the rules and regulations must be strictly adhered to so that safety and wholesomeness of the organic food being sold to the public is guaranteed. Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date Open In Whatsapp