The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has urged food-sector employers and workers to end stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, stressing that the virus cannot be transmitted through the preparation, handling or serving of food.
The Agency made the call at a sensitisation meeting for food handlers and representatives of food-sector associations on HIV-related workplace practices and applicable legal provisions, held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the STO Resource Centre Hall, CBD, Ikeja.
The meeting was organised to dispel misconceptions about HIV transmission and promote safe, inclusive and non-discriminatory workplace practices within the food sector.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, represented by the Director, Projects, Mr. Michael Essien, said there was no scientific basis for excluding people living with HIV from food-related employment.
She stressed that HIV is not transmitted through handling, preparing or serving food, sharing utensils, or through ordinary workplace and social contact.
According to her, “a person’s HIV status does not make them a food-safety risk,” urging food-sector stakeholders to base workplace decisions on scientific evidence rather than fear and misinformation.
The CEO also cautioned against using legitimate food-safety and medical fitness requirements as a basis for discriminatory HIV screening or exclusion from employment.
She emphasised the need to protect the confidentiality of workers’ HIV-related information and ensure that such information is handled with appropriate consent, respect and dignity.
Dr. Animashaun noted that stigma and discrimination could discourage people from testing, accessing treatment and using health services for fear of losing their jobs or having their status disclosed without consent.
She therefore called on food establishments and associations to review their workplace policies and ensure compliance with the principles of confidentiality, informed consent and non-discrimination.
She also urged participants to serve as advocates for accurate HIV information by sharing the messages from the meeting with employers, workers and members of their respective associations.
Also speaking, the facilitator, Mr. Tiamiyu Hussein of the Lagos State Safety Commission, stressed the importance of maintaining safe and healthy workplaces without discriminating against workers.
Hussein explained the distinction between legitimate medical fitness assessments for food handlers and HIV screening, urging employers to ensure that occupational health and safety procedures are implemented appropriately.
He further encouraged employers and workers to protect the confidentiality of health information and ensure that no person is subjected to unfair treatment on account of their HIV status.
The sensitisation also addressed HIV transmission, prevention and treatment, with participants reminded that there is no risk of acquiring HIV from food prepared, handled or served by a person living with the virus.
Participants were encouraged to challenge misconceptions, promote fair employment practices and support appropriate referral and grievance mechanisms across the food sector.
Adekunbi Bakare
Head, Public Affairs
Lagos State AIDS Control Agency
(LSACA)
