The President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) Mrs. Olusola Abosede Adesokan has appealed to the Ministry of Science and Technology to support her bid for a legal framework for the Institution so as to standardize food industry in the Country. Adesokan, made the appeal when she led the executive of the Institute on a courtesy call on the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief (Mrs) Grace Ekpiwhre in her office at the weekend. She said the enactment of such a legal framework would checkmate unprofessional practices as well as encourage healthy competition amongst the competent professionals.

According to her, the experience of NAFDAC and other relevant government regulatory agencies has demonstrated the effectiveness and efficiency of such bodies in regulating and monitoring the activities of the professional associations. "The current advances in food production such as biotechnology and genetic engineering especially the emerging world of genetically modified foods cannot be left in the hands of untrained professional in the industry" she said. Adesokan, who enumerated the contributions of her Association to the socio-economic development of the society, posited that such body should be encouraged to contribute more to food security through regulatory authorities.

While calling on the Government to expedite action on the proposed draft copy of enabling bill forwarded to the Ministry for scrutiny, the Institute's President stressed the need to ensure that post-harvest losses are reduced for a sustainable development, adding that if spoilage of agricultural products are completely overcome, the country would have doubled the available food for consumers.

Responding, the Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Grace Ekpiwhre assured the Institute of Government's support in establishing a regulatory body that would monitor and guide their profession, adding that the role of the Institute is of paramount importance to the economy and the ministry will give them necessary support. She advised the Institute to streamline its guidelines and regulation to avoid duplications of responsibility by other relevant bodies in the industry.