The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned fruit sellers against using calcium carbide to ripen fruits for commercial reasons.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General NAFDAC made this known on Tuesday in a statement in Abuja, saying carbide to ripen fruits is extremely hazardous to human health.
She disclosed that calcium carbide is a corrosive chemical used in the industrial production of acetylene and calcium cyanamide, which should not be consumed.
Prof. Adeyeye also mentioned the health effect of carbide in the human system which includes cancer, mental confusion, cerebral oedema, memory loss and seizures among others.
She disclosed that meetings with executives of fruit sellers association were held to educate them on the dangers of using carbide to ripen fruits, adding that anyone found using the chemical to ripen fruits would be severely sanctioned.
“Our inspectors also conducted ‘shop to shop’ awareness with a view to enlighten the shop owners on health hazards and risks of consuming calcium carbide” the DG added.
