FCCPC, NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Chemical Fruit Ripening Practice

News in brief:

-The FCCPC and NAFDAC warn that harmful practices such as forced fruit ripening with calcium carbide, use of bromate, and adulterated preservatives are exposing millions of Nigerians to severe health risks.

-Unsafe food production threatens not only public health but also Nigeria’s agricultural reputation, trade opportunities, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Millions of Nigerians may unknowingly be eating food laced with dangerous chemicals, the Federal Government has warned. From cassava farming to fruit markets, unsafe preservation and ripening methods are putting lives at risk, raising urgent questions about food safety in Nigeria and its broader impact on agricultural trade.

The Rising Danger of Harmful Chemicals

At a sensitisation programme in Enugu, Olatunji Bello, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), cautioned Nigerian farmers, food vendors, and processors against the use of toxic substances in food production.

He explained that dangerous practices such as:

• Forced fruit ripening with calcium carbide (a chemical that contains toxic arsenic and phosphorus),
• Adding bromate or Sudan red to food, and
• Using formalin to preserve meat and fish,

pose severe health risks, including kidney damage, cancer, and long-term organ failure.

“These practices not only endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians, but also erode consumer trust and sabotage the integrity of our food systems,” Bello said.

What Farmers and Vendors Must Know

Experts warn that shortcuts taken to extend shelf life or make products look more attractive can backfire. According to the FCCPC, unsafe food damages markets, disrupts trade, and can destroy the reputation of honest farmers and agribusinesses.

To ensure safer agricultural development in Nigeria, Bello urged food handlers to:

• Observe hygiene and food safety protocols,
• Package and label food properly, and
• Avoid harmful chemicals in processing.

He stressed that every product on the shelf “affects a family or a community, positively or negatively.”

A Silent Health Threat

Dr. Leonard Omokpariola, Director of Chemical Education and Research at NAFDAC, described forced fruit ripening as a growing crisis in Nigeria.

While consumers may prefer ripe bananas, mangoes, or plantain all year round, many traders use calcium carbide to speed up the process. Omokpariola warned that the chemical releases poisonous gases and carcinogens, substances that can trigger cancer and other health problems.

“Instead of helping fruits ripen naturally, calcium carbide produces toxic compounds that enter the body and cause serious illnesses,” he said.

Protecting Nigeria’s Food Future

Food adulteration is not just a health issue; it’s an economic and trade challenge. Globally, countries are tightening safety standards, and unsafe Nigerian exports risk rejection in international markets. For smallholder farmers, who produce over 90% of the country’s food, this could mean lost income and reduced competitiveness.

The FCCPC says it is already shutting down unsafe facilities, imposing sanctions, and prosecuting offenders. But experts argue that long-term solutions require education, stronger enforcement, and farmer support.

Conclusion

Because climate change and farming challenges already put pressure on food production, experts say Nigeria cannot afford further setbacks caused by unsafe practices. Farmers and vendors are being called to embrace safe, climate-smart, and consumer-friendly methods that protect both lives and livelihoods.

“Unsafe food not only endangers lives, but undermines trust in markets, disrupts trade, and damages reputations. We must act responsibly to protect the Nigerian consumer and secure our food future,” Bello said.