Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned food vendors and processors against the adulteration of food with toxic chemicals for profit, describing the practice as dangerous to human health and a violation of consumer rights.
The Commission gave the warning during a one-day sensitization campaign on “Food Quality Standards, Safety, Regulation, and Fair Business Practices” held on Thursday in Jos, Plateau State.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), harmful substances such as calcium carbide, bromate, sudan red colorant, sniper, and formalin are increasingly being used in food processing and preservation across the country.
Experts explained that calcium carbide, a substance commonly used as a fruit-ripening agent, contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus which are highly hazardous to human health. Continuous exposure, they warned, can cause neurological damage, respiratory complications, and prolonged hypoxia, among other diseases.
Speaking at the event, FCCPC Vice Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Bello, represented by Dr. Nkechi Mba, stressed that access to safe, unadulterated, and nutritious food is a fundamental human right that must not be compromised.
“We urge all food processors and vendors to abstain from the use of harmful substances in food processing,” he said. “Ensure that hygiene and safety protocols are observed at every stage of your operation. Label and package food correctly in line with national and international standards. Respect consumer rights and refrain from deceptive or unfair business practices. Any operator who places profit above public safety will face the full wrath of the law.”
Bello further urged stakeholders in the food industry to recognize that the sustainability of their businesses depends largely on integrity, noting that food safety and quality should be seen not only as a legal obligation but also as a moral duty.
In her presentation, the Assistant Chief Laboratory Technologist with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Evelyn Eofi, highlighted the dangers associated with the use of calcium carbide and similar substances, revealing that the chemical has been identified as a major cause of cancer.
Eofi advised consumers to take personal responsibility for their safety and not rely solely on government agencies. She also called on authorities to provide test strips and other equipment that would help officials identify adulterated products more easily.
Some participants at the sensitization expressed delight over the initiative, describing it as timely and enlightening. They noted that many people, especially in the local markets, use such chemicals ignorantly without knowing the extent of harm they cause to human health.
Chairman of the Plateau State Traders Association, Jos North Chapter, Alhaji Ismaila Jibia, said most traders were not aware of the health implications of using such substances.
“If we knew that these products could cause serious health challenges, we would never have used them,” he said. “It also puts our families at risk, so we urge the government to increase sensitization because many people are still ignorant of the dangers.”
The sensitization campaign was aimed at promoting public awareness on food safety, improving compliance with food quality regulations, and ensuring that business practices in the food sector align with global health standards.
