26th May, 2016
The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Hussaini Dangami, gave the warning when he inspected the fruits sellers section at the Katsina Central Market.
“Anybody caught using chemicals to hasten the ripening of fruits will be severely dealt with.
“The Government will not condone or tolerate this harmful act that is capable of causing serious health problems to the people of the state, “ he said.
Dangami criticised some fruit dealers, who had formed the bad habit of using potash, ashes and other modern chemical on their unripe commodities to quicken the ripening of their fruits.
He said that the act of using chemicals on unripe mangoes, oranges and other fruits was dangerous to the health of the consumers.
“Some of the chemicals used to hasten the ripening of the products automatically enters into the fruits and later affects the health of the people, “ he said.
The permanent secretary said that sanitary health officers had been directed to arrest anybody who indulged in this bad practice.
Dangani called on other traders in the market to report anybody caught using the chemicals on his or her fruits to health officials for prosecution.