The Oyo State Government has raised concerns over food adulteration, unsafe production practices and poor waste management, warning residents, market operators and producers against practices capable of threatening public health and polluting the environment.
Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Engineer Dr Ademola Aderinto, spoke in Ibadan at a press conference organised to commemorate World Cleanup Day 2026, observed globally on September 20 under the theme, “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities”, which focuses on reducing food waste and promoting cleaner, more sustainable cities.
Aderinto urged residents to buy food and beverages only from trusted and accredited sources, warning against adulterated meat, beverages, vegetable oil and other consumables repackaged in used plastic bottles. He also advised consumers to buy bananas and plantains unripe and allow them to ripen naturally, rather than risk fruits artificially ripened with deadly chemicals.
The Commissioner also read the riot act to operators of illegal production facilities, including local food and juice producers, warning that the government would enforce environmental and safety regulations against activities capable of endangering residents lives. He said registered industries and companies are monitored for compliance, while calling on market women and members of the public to report suspected cases of adulteration, illegal production and other environmental infractions.
He disclosed that the Ministry operates a reward system for useful information leading to the identification of environmental offenders, stressing that government cannot monitor every location without the cooperation of residents. Aderinto also linked poor handling of food waste to environmental pollution, rodent infestation and public-health risks, urging households, markets and food vendors to maintain clean surroundings.
The Commissioner said Oyo State was exploring waste-to-wealth and waste-to-energy initiatives, including the conversion of fermented food and fruit waste into energy. He added that government was also addressing food wastage through improved transportation infrastructure, which would reduce the time agricultural produce spends moving from farms to urban markets and help minimise spoilage.
The initiative, he said, forms part of the broader objective of turning the “Clean Plates to Clean Cities” message into practical environmental action.
