Fruit buyers beware as NAFDAC uncovers shocking ripening tactics

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has discovered that some fruit sellers are using a harmful chemical called calcium carbide to ripen fruits quickly.

The NAFDAC Coordinator in Sokoto State, Mr. Abdulsalam Lawal, made this known on Thursday. He warned traders to stop using the chemical because it is dangerous to people’s health.

According to him, the problem is more serious now because many people are eating more fruits during the Ramadan fast. Fruits are commonly eaten to break the fast, and using chemicals to force them to ripen can put consumers at risk.

Mr. Lawal explained that calcium carbide is not meant for ripening fruits. He said the chemical is only allowed for industrial purposes, such as welding and melting iron. He stressed that fruit sellers are not permitted to use it under any circumstance.

He warned that eating fruits ripened with calcium carbide can cause serious health problems. These may include kidney damage, high blood pressure, cancer, and other long-term illnesses. He added that constant exposure to such chemicals can gradually harm the body without people realizing it immediately.

The NAFDAC official listed fruits like mangoes, bananas, pawpaw, watermelon, and others as the ones mostly affected. He said the agency would increase monitoring and inspections to stop the illegal sale and misuse of calcium carbide.

Lawal also called on members of the public to be careful when buying fruits. He advised consumers to wash fruits properly before eating them and to report any suspicious activities to authorities. He encouraged fruit dealers to adopt safer and natural methods of ripening their produce instead of using harmful substances.

He assured residents that NAFDAC remains committed to protecting public health and ensuring that food sold in markets is safe for consumption. He emphasized that anyone caught using dangerous chemicals on food items would face strict penalties according to the law.

As Ramadan continues, the agency urged cooperation from traders and consumers to ensure that the holy month is observed in good health and safety.