Nigeria has recorded a major breakthrough in global food standards development after securing international approval for a new standard on root and tuber flours, a milestone expected to improve food safety, expand agricultural exports and strengthen the country’s presence in the fast-growing global gluten-free food market.
The approval was secured at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49), where the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria, successfully obtained endorsement for a New Work Proposal to develop a Group Standard for Root (Sweet Potato) and Tuber (Yam) Flours.
The achievement, led by the Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, has been widely hailed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), food safety experts and regional stakeholders as a significant step that reinforces Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping international food standards.
Applauding Okeke and the SON team, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the approval as a landmark accomplishment that reflects Nigeria’s expanding leadership in global standardisation.
