The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified efforts to tackle the artificial ripening of fruits and the sale of adulterated canned foods across Nigeria’s South-East region.
The agency, alongside health professionals, has raised concerns about unsafe food handling practices and the potential health risks associated with the use of unauthorised chemicals to ripen fruits and preserve food products.
The warning follows growing food safety concerns in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, where NAFDAC officials say surveillance, public sensitisation and enforcement measures are being strengthened to protect consumers.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, the NAFDAC Coordinator in Anambra State, Dr Louis Madubuatta, said the agency would take action against grocery operators and vendors involved in the use of prohibited fruit-ripening chemicals and the distribution of adulterated canned foods.
Madubuatta explained that public awareness campaigns against chemical fruit ripeners and unsafe canned food products had been ongoing, adding that the agency would sanction traders who continued to violate established food safety regulations.
He warned that consuming improperly treated fruits and contaminated canned foods could expose people to serious health complications.
According to him, NAFDAC is also working with other government agencies to restrict the availability of calcium carbide and other unauthorised chemicals commonly misused for artificial fruit ripening.
A retired Director of Medical Services at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Emmanuel Umenweke, called for greater attention to food safety, particularly amid concerns about kidney-related diseases.
However, he cautioned against directly linking kidney disease to artificially ripened fruits or adulterated canned foods without sufficient scientific evidence, noting that kidney conditions have several possible causes.
Umenweke explained that not every form of artificial fruit ripening is harmful, pointing out that ethylene is an approved fruit-ripening agent when used appropriately under regulated conditions.
He identified calcium carbide as a major concern because industrial-grade products may contain harmful contaminants, including arsenic and phosphorus compounds.
He said exposure to improperly used calcium carbide could cause acute poisoning, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and dizziness.
In Ebonyi State, NAFDAC says it has intensified monitoring activities to prevent the use of unauthorised chemicals in fruit ripening and the circulation of adulterated food products.
The state’s NAFDAC Coordinator, Mr Emeka Orajiaka, said the agency was strengthening routine market inspections, product sampling, laboratory testing and enforcement activities to identify unsafe food items.
He explained that the measures were designed to improve food safety standards in markets, shops and other commercial outlets across Ebonyi State.
Orajiaka disclosed that NAFDAC was engaging market associations, fruit traders, food vendors, distributors and other stakeholders to promote compliance with established regulations.
He also said the agency had sensitised traders against using calcium carbide to ripen fruits and applying unauthorised colouring agents, including Sudan III and certain azo dyes, to palm oil to make it appear more attractive.
The coordinator advised consumers to check product expiry dates, examine packaging carefully and purchase food items from trusted vendors.
He further urged members of the public to report suspected cases of food adulteration to the appropriate authorities.
According to him, NAFDAC is collaborating with the Ebonyi State Government, environmental health officers and other relevant agencies to strengthen food safety monitoring across the state.
A nutritionist, Mrs Nkechinyere Ekwe, also emphasised the importance of fruits as sources of essential nutrients that support the body’s immune system. However, she warned consumers against eating fruits exposed to unsafe chemicals.
Meanwhile, a fruit seller at the International Market, Abakaliki, Mr Jude Nwokedi, confirmed that some traders used calcium carbide to accelerate fruit ripening.
He noted that fruits such as oranges, bananas and mangoes that develop a yellowish appearance unusually quickly may have undergone artificial ripening.
In Enugu State, a medical practitioner, Dr Chikezie Obasi, warned that poorly processed and preserved canned foods could expose consumers to dangerous toxins and potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Obasi stressed the need for increased public awareness of proper food processing, canning, storage and handling practices to prevent contamination.
He explained that improperly processed canned products could encourage the growth of harmful microorganisms, including Clostridium botulinum, which produces a potent toxin responsible for botulism, a serious illness.
The doctor advised consumers to avoid canned foods with swollen containers, leaks, severe dents, damaged packaging or broken seals.
He also urged buyers to check expiry dates and adhere to manufacturers’ storage and preparation instructions.
NAFDAC’s renewed warning highlights the importance of food safety awareness and stricter enforcement of regulations to protect Nigerians from potentially hazardous food products.
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