The critical role that food science and technology plays in national development cannot be overemphasized in West African countries where high post-harvest food losses,arising largely from limited food preservation capacity,is a major factor constraining food and nutrition security.Seasonal food shortages and nutritional deficiency diseases are still a major concern.Protein-energy malnutrition and the various micronutrient deficiency disorders including vitamin A deficiency,nutritional anemias due to deficiencies of iron,folic acid and vitamin B12,and iodine deficiency disorders remain important public health problems.