Watch out for these when buying fruits

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Lately, the knowledge on the health importance of fruit consumption is on the increase among the people. This is, perhaps, as a result of sustained sensitization of the people over the years on the importance of fruit consumption using different means and platforms.

Doctors had suggested that, in addition to good meals that build the body, fruits should be added to the meals to help in food digestion, removal of toxics in the body thus strengthening the immune system.

With the increased access to this knowledge, more people have made fruits part of their daily meals so they can maximize the benefits thereof. Evidently, more people have practically adopted the doctor’s advice that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and  “eat food like drugs to avoid otherwise”.

With the increased interest in fruit consumption lately, more people have ventured into the fruit business across value chain majorly for profits sake. And as a result, many of them have engaged in several harmful practices to maximize the profits in the business at the detriment of the people’s health.

Sadly, in the business of fruit consumption, many people seem less observant in what they consume in the name of fruits. Poisonous fruits are consumed unknowingly.

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have indicated that some “gluttons” and profit-seeking merchants are using some harmful substances to forcefully ripen the fruits being consumed by Nigerians, thereby, exposing them to dangers of cancer and other diseases that could affect their key body organs.

Sadly, people consume these fruits not knowing that they are inviting ill-health to themselves, while the merchants pride in profits at the detriment of the health of the population.

However, below are some tips to know or look out for, when buying fruits, to be sure that you are not buying what was forceful ripped using substances that can be harmful to the body. These listed tips were recommended by NAFDAC and FCCPC.

Know the signs: It’s important to acquaint oneself with the basic signs of harmful substance-ripened fruits. Please note that fruits may change colour without sweetness or flavor, and they might look ripe but taste bland.

Check ripeness indicators: As a consumer, you should look out for, and rely on the fragrance, firmness, and weight, and not just the colour. This is because a ripe fruit smells pleasant, yields to gentile pressure, and also feels heavy.

Avoid artificial agents: Please beware of chemicals like calcium carbide and excess ethylene gas that are often used to fake ripening. If you clearly observe, you will notice the differences.

Buy from reputable sources: Please choose a trusted vendors/locations with proper management like farmers’ markets and organic stores for your purchases.

Observe storage: In addition to other steps, please endeavour to observe proper temperature and humidity slow ripening. Also store ethylene-sensitive fruits separately.

Opt for seasonal and local produce: These set of fruits are harvested at the right time and less likely to be artificially ripened. So, it’s important you go with the flow.

Be cautious with imports: Limit you taste for imported fruits and other consumables. Some of these fruits might have be harvested early and ripened unnaturally.

Inspect thoroughly: It’s very important that you look for signs of false ripening like uneven color, overly shiny skin, or lack of aroma. Please don’t buy the fruit if any of the above mentioned signs are found.

Support ethical practices: Choose sellers who prioritize natural ripening and sustainable methods. Their chances of compromising is small.

Learn from experience: With time, you will recognize the true signs of ripeness. Trust your senses and follow your heart.

Please note

In all, one should be extra careful in consuming food and fruits. The importance of knowledge and exposure cannot be overemphasized.

NAFDAC and other similar agencies of government have repeatedly stressed the need for increased sensitization and advocacy on importance of food safety.

They often maintained that food safety is everyone’s business, insisting that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten according to its intended use, stressing that health consequences of unsafe food can be disastrous, hence there shouldn’t be unsafe, unscrupulous practices going on with food.

Food safety is a shared responsibility of governments, producers and consumers. Everybody in the community has a role to play to keep the food safe, from farm to dinning table, to ensure the food we consume is safe and will not damage our health.

It’s also important to ensure that the food are produced and preserved in a safe and clean environment to avoid unnecessary contamination that could result in severe public health crisis like the recent outbreak of Cholera that had claimed 53 lives and counting.