Here’s why storing cooked food in refrigerator for over 3 days could kill you

In a statement released to mark the 2024 World Food Safety Day, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control), highlighted critical warnings and insights regarding food safety practices in Nigeria. The focus of her advisory was to educate Nigerians on the risks associated with storing cooked food in refrigerators for extended periods, emphasizing the potential for contamination by harmful pathogens.

Adeyeye’s statement, as reported by The Nigerian Tribune, underscored that storing cooked food in refrigerators for more than three days increases the risk of contamination. This contamination can occur due to disease-causing pathogens that thrive in improperly stored food, leading to foodborne illnesses which can be severe and even fatal.

World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7th, aims to raise awareness and promote actions to prevent, detect, and manage health risks associated with unsafe food. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, this day focuses on fostering a global understanding of food safety issues and advocating for improved practices across the food supply chain.

The campaign led by Adeyeye and NAFDAC stresses the importance of cultivating a robust food safety culture among all stakeholders—from producers to consumers. Adeyeye highlighted that maintaining food safety is not just a governmental responsibility but a shared duty involving everyone. This approach is crucial not only for public health but also for economic growth and ensuring food security.

The global scale of foodborne illnesses, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), is staggering, affecting around 600 million people annually and resulting in 420,000 deaths worldwide. These statistics underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to enhance food safety standards globally.

In closing, Adeyeye reiterated the campaign’s key messages: that food safety is a collective responsibility and essential for building resilient and prepared food safety systems. By fostering awareness and adherence to safe food handling practices, Nigeria and other nations can mitigate the risks associated with unsafe food and ensure healthier communities.