The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to fruit dealers and sellers regarding the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits, highlighting the serious health risks associated with this practice.
The warning was delivered by NAFDAC Coordinator in Sokoto State, Mr. Abdulsalam Lawal, during a public awareness campaign held at a local fruit market on Monday.
Lawal emphasized the dangers of using calcium carbide, stating that it poses significant risks to public health, including severe health issues such as kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and other terminal diseases.
“With Ramadan fasting approaching, a period of increased fruit consumption, using calcium carbide to hasten the fruits’ ripening is hazardous to our health,” he warned.
He clarified that only welders are permitted to use calcium carbide for purposes such as melting iron, and assured the public that NAFDAC would enhance surveillance to prevent its misuse in fruit ripening.
Fruits commonly affected by this practice in the region include mangoes, bananas, pawpaws, and watermelons. Alhaji Bello Danda, Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, echoed Lawal’s concerns, urging fellow sellers to adopt hygienic methods for ripening fruit. He warned that those who violate these guidelines would face penalties.
Danda also demonstrated safe ripening methods for mangoes, bananas, and watermelons, emphasizing that these techniques can be implemented without compromising consumer health. He noted that the fruit market attracts customers from across Nigeria and neighboring countries.
The ongoing awareness campaign, which began on February 18, has seen the NAFDAC team engage with marketers across various locations to address these critical health issues.
