Food is a universal language and one of the basic needs of every human being to survive and to live healthy. However, to eat food and live healthy means the food is available in the right quantity, at the right time and with the right nutrition and quality. We all agree that healthy food starts from field to fork; no compromise of the food safety at any point of the food value chain can occur.

Aside from producers, the means of transporting is also important and a risk factor in ensuring the safety of food in developing countries. It is sad that many actors who play in the logistics sector do not have the requisite knowledge to transport food (especially perishable food) in a way to preserve its safety for consumption. Most transportation methods commonly used for carrying food is in vehicles or trucks with open trunks, which is susceptible to contamination (mainly smoke, dust and moisture). This could be a big threat to food security and compromise the safety of such food.

Therefore, it is very important that food logistics operators should be well equipped with the right knowledge of how to preserve food safety throughout transportation, more hygienic practises (proper cleaning of the vehicles before and after food delivery to their destinations), to have a better understanding of the different vehicles for the different foods, and the best ways to minimise cross contamination during transportation.

Food safety must be ensured throughout the food value chain in order to have wholesome food, reduce post harvest losses and the right quantity of food meet demands of the market. We all have to be involved and take proactive measures to ensure that actors in the food logistics subsector are well supported and encouraged with the overall aim of achieving food security.

Yours-in-Service,
Babatunde