The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Adamawa has issued a warning to fruit sellers against using chemicals to ripen fruits. The agency has also advised consumers to be cautious when purchasing fruits, especially as Ramadan approaches.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Thursday, Mr. Gonzuk Bedima, NAFDAC’s Coordinator in Adamawa, noted that some fruit vendors use harmful substances to speed up the ripening process. He explained that one of the most commonly used chemicals is calcium carbide, which is primarily meant for welding.
Bedima warned that consuming fruits ripened with calcium carbide poses serious health risks. He noted that the chemical can lead to cancer in any part of the body. Due to these dangers, NAFDAC has been raising awareness among fruit sellers, educating them about the risks involved. He added that the agency will continue its campaign, especially now that more people are buying fruits in preparation for the fasting season.
He urged consumers to be extra careful when selecting fruits and to look out for signs of artificial ripening. He explained that fruits treated with chemicals often appear fully ripe on the outside but remain unripe inside. This unnatural ripening process not only affects the taste and quality of the fruit but can also cause serious health problems.
“If you suspect such fruits, avoid buying them, as they are dangerous to your health,” Bedima cautioned. He also encouraged people to report cases of chemically ripened fruits to NAFDAC so that action can be taken to prevent others from consuming them.
