By DAYO ADESULU
Agency Raises Health Concerns as Ramadan Approaches
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to fruit dealers and sellers against using calcium carbide to artificially ripen fruits, citing severe health risks.
Public Health Alert on Artificial Ripening
Speaking at a public awareness campaign at a fruit market in Sokoto State, NAFDAC Coordinator Mr. Abdulsalam Lawal cautioned vendors against this harmful practice. He stressed that calcium carbide exposure could cause kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and other terminal diseases.
“With Ramadan fasting approaching, a period of increased fruit consumption, using calcium carbide to hasten fruit ripening is hazardous to our health,” Lawal stated.
He explained that calcium carbide is strictly meant for industrial use, such as melting iron in welding. NAFDAC has pledged to increase surveillance to prevent its misuse by fruit vendors.
Fruits Commonly Affected
Lawal revealed that fruits such as:
- Mangoes
- Bananas
- Pawpaw (Papaya)
- Watermelon
are often artificially ripened with calcium carbide, posing significant health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
Call for Hygienic Practices
Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, Alhaji Bello Danda, urged sellers to embrace natural ripening methods. He emphasized that violators would face penalties and demonstrated safe ripening techniques for commercial fruit sellers.
Nationwide Awareness and Enforcement
The awareness campaign, which began on February 18, has seen NAFDAC officials engaging fruit sellers in various markets across Sokoto to ensure compliance.
#FoodSafety, #NAFDAC, #HealthyLiving, #FruitRipening, #PublicHealth, #Ramadan2024, #Nigeria.
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