OLA MODUPE, Ado-Ekiti –
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians about the dangers of consuming fruits artificially ripened with harmful chemicals like calcium carbide.
The alert was delivered by FCCPC Executive Chairman and CEO, Mr. Olatunji Bello, during a food quality standards sensitization program held in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.
Bello, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Quality Assurance, Mrs. Nkechi Mba, condemned the rising prevalence of adulterated and contaminated foods in markets, emphasizing the severe health risks posed to unsuspecting consumers.
“These practices not only endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians, but they also erode consumer trust and sabotage the integrity of our food systems,” Bello stated, highlighting the use of calcium carbide, which contains toxic traces of arsenic and phosphorus.
Bello stressed that the FCCPC is taking decisive action, with full-scale enforcement already underway.
“We will not allow those responsible for such heinous acts to go unpunished,” he declared, noting that the agency has begun cracking down on violators through market surveys, facility closures, sanctions, and prosecutions where necessary.
The FCCPC is collaborating with agencies such as the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Federal Ministries of Health and Agriculture to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Bello urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing produce from markets or farms.
FCCPC’s Director of Consumer and Business Education, Mr. Yahaya Kudan, underscored the agency’s commitment to empowering stakeholders across the food supply chain, including farmers, vendors, and consumers.
“This program is a testament to our dedication to educating and protecting Nigerians,” Kudan said.
The event, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, saw participation from key stakeholders, including NAFDAC, SON, Ekiti State Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and Trade, the Ekiti Consumer Protection Commission, and associations like the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Yam Farmers Association, and Cassava Growers.
Consumers are advised to scrutinize the quality of fruits and report suspicious practices to safeguard their health and support the FCCPC’s mission to uphold food safety standards.
