The Role of Digital Technologies in Enhancing Food Safety and the Enforcement of Food Quality Control in Nigeria's Agrifood Industry

Abstract

Food safety and the enforcement of food quality control are very critical concerns in Nigeria's agricultural food industry. The need for innovative solutions to address these challenges motivated this study. The study explores the potential of digital technologies to improve food safety and enhance the enforcement of quality control in Nigeria's Agrifood industry. The study's objectives are to assess the current state of food safety and quality control regulations in Nigeria's Agricultural and Food industry and to identify areas for improvement. The study also aimed to evaluate the potential of digital technologies to enhance food safety and quality control in Nigeria's Agrifood industry. The study relied on both primary and secondary data sources. The researchers collected primary data through key informant interviews with six experts who have conducted studies on food safety and the enforcement of quality control in Nigeria's agrifood industry. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that the current state of food safety and quality control in Nigeria's agrifood industry poses serious challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient regulatory enforcement, and limited market access. It was also found that foodborne illnesses are prevalent in Nigeria, as evidenced by the high incidence of microbial contamination in everyday food products. A typical example is the widespread detection of aflatoxins in maise and peanuts. The evaluation of digital technologies demonstrates their potential to enhance food safety. The study shows that mobile-based reporting systems can improve real-time monitoring and reporting of food safety issues, thereby reducing reporting time. It also showed that digital market surveillance technology can accurately detect and track food safety risks. It also demonstrates that Blockchain technology can help to ensure supply chain transparency and accountability, thereby reducing the circulation of counterfeit products. Therefore, the study recommends adopting digital technologies to enhance food safety practices in Nigeria's Agrifood industry by integrating mobile-based reporting systems, digital market surveillance, and blockchain into existing food safety frameworks.