The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has called on the general public to avoid the consumption of smuggled frozen poultry products due to health implications from experts. The command’s Comptroller, Mr James Ojo, gave the warning during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) today in Ota, Ogun state.
According to him, the World Health Organization (WHO), Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and the Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), being health experts have both warned against the consumption of smuggled frozen poultry products due to its adverse health effects on human being.
Ojo said, “The frozen poultry products smuggled into Nigeria from the Republic of Benin were preserved with chemicals and often lacked proper regulatory oversight, increasing the risk of harmful chemicals being used for preservation.
“Also, they may not meet the nutritional standards required for healthy consumption and poor handling as well as preservation techniques can degrade the nutritional quality of the meat, thus leading to potential deficiencies when consumed regularly.
He explained, “The use of unknown or banned chemicals in preserving smuggled poultry can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.”
The comptroller listed some of these chemicals to include formaldehyde and other preservatives, which could cause acute and chronic health issues like poisoning, cancer and organ damages failure to heed to this advice.
Ojo called on such smugglers who are engage in such nefarious business to stay clear as the Customs would not relent in ensuring that the illicit goods banned by the Federal Government does not find its way into the country. NAN.
