The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has intercepted truckloads of mangoes artificially ripened with calcium carbide, a practice that poses serious health risks to consumers, PUNCH online reports.
The Gombe State Coordinator Pharmacist, James Agada, speaking on Thursday, said, “The consumption of fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide is dangerous to health. Calcium carbide contains impurities such as arsenic, lead particles, and phosphorus, which can cause cancer, heart, kidney, and liver failure.”
Agada highlighted the effort put in place by his officers in educating traders and residents, urging them to be on the lookout.
He said, “We caught this after a series of attempts to educate fruit traders’ associations. We got this one in a shop at Hayan Dogon Ruwa in the Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State. Consumers should be aware of the risk of consuming artificially ripened fruits.
“The ripening of fruits with carbides is another public challenge facing us today. We have deployed a multifaceted approach to tackle the menace and ensure that our citizens are protected from the harmful effects of artificially ripened fruits.”
“Artificially ripened fruits can be identified by their uniform yellow color, dark stems, and powdery substances on the skin. They also tend to peel off quickly and have a shorter shelf life compared to naturally ripened fruits.
“The effects of artificial ripening on fruit quality are considerable. It leads to a loss of properties such as color, taste, and feel, and does not give the natural aroma and flavor to the fruits.”
Agada urged consumers to be cautious when purchasing fruits, especially during the peak season.
“Fruits that are ripened naturally will have brown or black spots and will be more juicy and flavourful than those that are artificially ripened,” said Agada.
NAFDAC warned that anyone found selling artificially ripened fruits will face severe penalties.
“We will not tolerate any practices that put the health and well-being of our citizens at risk,” he added.