From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has summoned the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to provide explanations on the increasing use of harmful chemicals by fruit sellers to induce artificial ripening of fruits across the country.
This followed a motion sponsored by Ani Anthony Okorle, titled: “Urgent need to investigate and halt the continuous unwholesome practice of chemical ripening of fruits in Nigeria.”
Leading the debate, yesterday, Okorle explained that while some fruit sellers use relatively safe substances like ethylene and methyl jasmonate, many others rely on cheaper, hazardous alternatives, such as calcium carbide, ethylene glycol and ethephon. These substances, he noted, contain impurities, including arsenic and lead.
“Experts and regulatory agencies have warned that these chemicals can cause serious health problems, such as cancer, kidney and liver failure, as well as neurological disorders, and even death.”
He expressed sadness that the practice is on the rise in Nigeria. According to him, “Many of the fruit sellers are unaware of the health hazards. They are driven by profit and consumers are unknowingly buying poison simply because the fruits look good on the outside.”
He added that some of these chemicals have been banned in many countries, but continue to be used indiscriminately in Nigeria. “There is an urgent need to protect public health by ensuring that our fruit markets are not turned into toxic zones. People should not suffer health complications from simply trying to eat healthy.”
The Senate, adopting the motion, called on NAFDAC, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), to investigate the practice of chemical ripening of fruits in Nigeria.
Lawmakers also urged NAFDAC, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and relevant ministries to intensify public sensitisation and education on the hazardous effects of consuming artificially ripened fruits.
The Senate further urged the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the Nigerian Customs Service to ensure that imported fruits, especially apples, are not preserved with harmful substances before reaching Nigerian markets.
In addition, the lawmakers asked NAFDAC and FCCPC to carry out regular visits to fruit markets across the country to inspect and curb the use of dangerous chemicals in fruit ripening.
To strengthen regulatory enforcement, the Senate directed its Committee on Legal Matters to begin the process of amending relevant laws to recommend stiffer penalties for perpetrators of such acts.
Finally, the Senate mandated its Committees on Health and Agriculture to summon NAFDAC to brief the Senate on what it has done so far to stop the practice and what measures it intends to adopt to ensure it does not continue.