NAFDAC, Others Condemn Artificial Ripening Of Fruits, Adulterated Canned Foods

 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and some health experts have condemned artificial fruits ripening and consumption of adulterated canned foods in the south east zone of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, who spoke to officials of the agency on Monday, report that steps are being taken to stem the tide.

The Coordinator of NAFDAC in Anambra, Dr Louis Madubuatta, told NAN in Awka that the agency would sanction grocery sellers who ripened fruits artificially and

vendors who sold adulterated canned foods.

“The ongoing public sensitisation against the use of chemicals fruits ripeners and sale of adulterated canned food is part of our measures to safeguard public health.

“We have been doing this for years, but will go after defaulters who fail to comply with laid down sales protocols after the sensitisation,” he said.

Madubuatta said that consuming ripened fruits and canned foods could result in serious public health challenges when the vendors failed to adhere to laid down rules and regulations.

 “We sensitise the public on health hazards associated with artificial ripening of fruits through text messages and the mass media,”

 He said that NAFDAC was collaborating with other government agencies to ensure that the calcium carbide and other chemicals used to ripen fruits was not readily available in the market.

A Retired Director of Medical Services, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Emmanuel Umenweke, said the increasing concern about kidney disease and safety of foods consumed by the public deserved serious attention.

 Umenweke said it should be clarified that kidney disease had several causes therefore should not solely be attributed to artificially fruit ripening or adulterated canned foods without adequate scientific evidence.

 “Not all artificially ripened fruits are dangerous as Ethylene, for instance, when used appropriately under approved conditions, was a recognised fruit-ripening agent.

“Calcium carbide is a major concern because industrial-grade carbide may contain contaminants such as arsenic and phosphorus compounds.

 “The misuse in ripening fruits can expose consumers to health hazards such as acute poisoning; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness among others,” he said.

 In Ebonyi, NAFDAC says it has strengthened surveillance against the use of unauthorised chemicals for fruits ripening and circulation of adulterated canned foods.

Mr Emeka Orajiaka, the NAFDAC Coordinator in Ebonyi, said the surveillance became necessary to address concerns about the safety of food products in the markets, shops and other outlets across the state.

 Orajiaka said the agency was strengthening routine market inspections, product sampling, laboratory testing and enforcement to identify and prevent the circulation of unsafe food products.

(NAN)