By Rukky Adedeji
Nafdac Boss, Prof. Moji Adeyeye has directed a nationwide operation to tackle the menace of fruit ripening with calcium carbide and other dangerous chemicals.
Flowerbudnews reports that the directive was contained in statement by Prof Adeyeye today in Abuja where she noted that the directive became imperative due to the increasing dangerous practice of sale and consumption of fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide.
“farmers, traders and the general public that ripening fruits with calcium carbide is very dangerous to health and is a criminal offence, She stated.
The Director-General said that the nationwide operation would help Nafdac against the “activities of unscrupulous traders involved in illegal artificial ripening of fruits using hazardous chemicals such as calcium carbide’’.
Prof. Adeyeye said that anyone caught engaging in the illegal practice of ripening fruits with hazardous chemicals would henceforth be prosecuted.
She advised the public to “examine fruits carefully to select the right fruit by observing the variation of colour.
“If the fruit that you buy is too good among others in “near perfect” ripening color, it may have been ripened with calcium carbide’’, she added.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that fruits were important for health as “it provides 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.
“However, the consumption of fruits such as mango, banana, plantain, guava, orange, grape, etc or any other fruits ripened with calcium carbide is dangerous to health,, the Nafdac DG stated.
She counselled that generally “fruits should be washed thoroughly under running water before consumption’’.
Prof. Adeyeye urged members of the public to report suspected cases of carbide-ripened fruits to the nearest NAFDAC office or call 09094262773, 09094262772 and 08133630600
