NAFDAC warns the public artificially ripened fruits
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has expressed concerns over illegal hawking of drugs in the open markets across the country even as it warned members of the public against the consumption of fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide.
NAFDAC says it is determination to rid Nigeria of the menace of substandard and falsified medicines, unwholesome foods, corrosive cosmetics, and other substandard regulated products.
It noted that it had noticed the dangerous practice of sale and consumption of fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide, stating the harmful effect it has on human consumption.
Ripening is a unique aspect of plant development, which makes the fruit edible, softer, sweeter, more palatable, nutritious, and attractive.
Delivering a keynote address at the flag-off of NAFDAC Media Sensitization Workshop on Dangers of Drug Hawking and Ripening of Fruits with Calcium Carbide in Abuja yesterday, Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, regretted the nefarious activities by certain unpatriotic and unscrupulous citizens in the country.
She told Nigerians to desist from patronizing fruits ripened with calcium carbide to avoid endangering their health.
“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.
“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,” she said.
Do you have a compelling story to tell? Contact us via our email: espinewsng@gmail.com or call/WhatsApp on 08032519246.
