Development of Safety Management System for nunu (Indigenous Yoghurt) Processing in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Nunu is a fermented milk product in West African sub-region produced mostly by nomadic Fulani women. It is a meal often relish by its consumers in the subregion. Its production is a value addition to raw milk and fulfills multiple purposes in rural economies (Akabanda et al. 2010; Owusu-Kwarteng et al., 2012). However, despite the nutritional and economic benefits of this product, it is being avoided by many in the cities due to mistrust about the hygiene of its processing and vending. Consequently, a community based action research project was initiated with the aim of developing a safety management system for nunu processing in rural communities of Northern Nigeria through the applications of hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP) strategies. A hazard analysis study of nunu was carried out in three villages in Kwara State of Nigeria. This analysis involved observation of raw materials and environments, and watching all steps of the processing. Subsequently, flow diagram for the processing of nunu was developed with critical control points identified. Samples were taken at different stages of processing for microbial assay. Air sampling and swabbing of equipment for microbial analysis was also done. E-coli, Klebsiela, Shigella, S. aureus and B. cereus were isolated from the samples. Presence of these organisms indicated that the processing was carried out in highly contaminated environment and holding at vending conditions could be risky. Control measures were tested and validated. Processors were thereafter educated on the imperativeness of hygienic environment and importance of monitoring hazard and critical control points. It expected that applications of the above tools would lead to increase in production of nunu and enhance processing efficiency which would make the processing of this product appeal to small scale enterprise, establishment of safety management system to enhance consumers' confidence in consumption of the products and at the long run translate to more income with improved livelihood for the processors who are mainly rural women.