24th August, 2017
The Anambra Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Afam Mbanefo, has warned vegetable oil millers to desist from adulterating their products in the interest of public health.
Mbanefo gave the warning on Thursday in Awka during a stakeholders’ meeting on protecting consumers from adulterated vegetable oil which might have found their way into the market.
According to him, it is dangerous to add chemicals to vegetable oil being produced locally.
“I have resolved to do my best to ensure that the health of consumers is protected for quality food matters.
“The produce department is not just to control what is entering the state but to checkmate the use of these toxic materials in the preservation of the product which will not nourish the body,” he said.
Mrs. Uzoamaka Emeagwali, Acting Director of Produce at the state Ministry of Agriculture, said that her team would do all within their powers to put an end to such nefarious act.
“Very soon, we will be on the field to fish out those culprits sabotaging government’s efforts at eradicating the use of chemicals.
“Synabor, a medicine used for killing insects, is being used by some to preserve beans, rice and other products which in turn causes cancer and kidney problems.
“This and other harmful practices should be stopped for our people to have nutrients from the foodstuff they purchase from the market,” she said.