Flowerbudnews
By Biola Lawal
Abuja: (Flowerbudnews): The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control,(NAFDAC), Prof Moji Adeyeye has warned Nigerians on the Dangers inherent in the ripening of Fruits with Calcium Carbides.
Prof. Adeyeye who was speaking at the NAFDAC Media Sensitisation workshop on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that consumption of fruits ripened with carbide can cause deadly diseases such as cancer, heart, kidney and liver failure.
The NAFDAC Boss also warned that ingestion of fruits ripened with calcium carbide ‘:may also cause frequent thirst, irritation in mouth and nose, weakness, permanent skin damage, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcer and so forth.’:
She added that Higher exposure might cause undesired fluid build-up in lungs (pulmonary oedema), stressing that Acetylene produced by Calcium Carbide affects the neurological system and reduces oxygen supply to the brain and further induces prolonged hypoxia.
Impurities from fruits ripened with calcium carbide ”are hazardous to pregnant women and children and may lead to headache, dizziness, mood disturbances, mental confusion, memory loss, cerebral oedema (swelling in the brain caused by excessive fluids), sleepiness, seizure etc’ Prof Adeyeye further warned.
She stated that ‘:Calcium Carbide is alkaline in nature and erodes the mucosal tissue in the abdominal region and disrupts intestinal functions,” adding: ”consuming such artificially ripened fruits could result in sleeping disorders, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, kidney problems and possibly even cancer”.
”Other symptoms of poisoning include diarrhoea (with or without blood), burning or tingling sensation in abdomen and chest difficulty in swallowing, irritation in eyes/skin, sore throat, cough, shortness in breathing, numbness etc.” she disclosed
Prof. Adeyeye noted that ”ripening of fruits with carbides is another public challenge facing us today and the Agency has deployed a multifaceted approach to tackle the menace.”
”Fruits provide the body with micronutrients that improve immunity and prevent diseases among other benefits. Fruit ripening is a unique aspect of plant development, which makes the fruit edible, softer, sweeter, more palatable, nutritious, and attractive,” She stated.
However, the consumption of fruits such as mango, banana, plantain, guava, orange, grape, etc or any other fruits ripened with calcium carbide remained dangerous to health. the NAFDAC Boss declared.
”Fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide may be ripe on the skin, the inside remain unripe. You can identify such artificially ripened fruits if you notice that the fruits are all yellow whereas the stem is dark, this is true especially with banana and plantain.
”In addition, naturally ripened fruits usually have brown or black spots, while those artificially ripened have traces of powdery substances and peel off quickly.
”Effect of artificial ripening on fruit quality include but not limited to:
Considerable loss of properties such as colour, taste and feel, and such practice does not give the natural aroma and flavour to the fruits.
”These fruits do not possess uniform colour and are less juicy than when ripened naturally and have comparatively shorter shelf life.
”Calcium Carbide when sprayed with water reacts chemically to produce acetylene, which acts like ethylene and ripens fruits by a similar process. Calcium carbide generally contains impurities such as arsenic, lead particles, phosphorus, etc., that pose several very serious health hazards.” Prof Adeyeye warned.
On measures to combat the problem, the NAFDAC Boss said ”It is gratifying to announce that apart from sensitization campaigns and Enforcement activities, NAFDAC has commissioned a scientific study on the best approach towards mitigating the health hazards posed by ripening of fruits with carbides.
”I have mandated some of my directors and support staff to take these campaigns to the nooks and crannies of this country. We are confident of winning the war against these two hydra-headed public health menaces.
Declaring the Media Sensitization Workshop open, Prof Adeyeye urged the media to assist NAFDAC in publicizing and disseminating knowledge acquired to the general public.
She thankef the media practitioners for their collaboration and support for NAFDAC to rid the country of the menace of substandard and falsified medicines, unwholesome foods, corrosive cosmetics, and other substandard regulated products. (Flowerbudnews)
