The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Sokoto state has warned fruit sellers to refrain from using calcium carbonate and other harmful chemicals to preserve fruits.
The warning was issued by the State Coordinator, Mr Abdusalam Lawal, during a public awareness campaign against the use of chemicals in food preservation on Thursday in Sokoto.
Lawal urged fruit and foodstuff dealers to stop the dangerous practice, stressing that it posed serious risks to public health.
With Ramadan fasting approaching, a period of increased fruit consumption, he highlighted the importance of using safe preservation methods.
He warned that the use of chemicals like calcium carbonate could lead to severe health issues, including kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and even terminal diseases.
“We must understand that mixing chemicals with consumables in the name of food preservation is hazardous to our health,” Lawal stated.
He condemned the practice, calling it not only harmful but also “suicidal.”
Lawal explained that only welders were permitted to use calcium carbonate for tasks such as melting iron, and that NAFDAC would increase surveillance to ensure that chemicals were being used properly and not sold to fruit vendors.
In response, the Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, Bello Danda advised fellow sellers to adopt hygienic methods for fruit preservation.
He warned that violators of this process would face penalties.
Danda demonstrated how mangoes, bananas, and watermelons could be ripened safely in commercial quantities without posing harm to consumers.
He also called on the government to provide amenities for a more conducive trading environment in markets and to assist with modern preservation machinery for longer-lasting fruit storage.
Danda noted that Kasuwan Daji Market was widely patronised by people from southern Nigeria as well as neighbouring countries.
The NAFDAC team also inspected preservation methods, transportation networks, and held discussions with marketers on various issues.
NAN
