Bringing Food Safety to the Shoppers: Implementing Informational Food Safety Stands in Traditional Markets in Nigeria

By:
Stella Nordhagen, Ariel Garsow, Haley Swartz, Musa Mohammed Alhassan, Ibrahim Isyaku
Date:
2024
Resource type:
Blogs/news/opinion
Link:

This GAIN Working Paper No. 40 explores the EatSafe initiative implemented in Nigeria, focusing on Safe Food Stands in traditional markets. The intervention aimed to educate market shoppers about food safety through live demonstrations, informational materials, and trained staff. A study across two markets found that:

Visitors and staff appreciated the initiative, particularly the cooking demonstrations.
Over half of visitors reported changing their food safety practices after engaging with the Stand.
Challenges included limited visibility, time constraints, and some shoppers’ lack of interest in food safety education.
The report recommends improving signage, relocating stands to high-traffic areas, and incorporating digital outreach to expand engagement.

Photo Credit: GAIN