The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has intercepted truckloads of mangoes ripened using calcium carbide, a harmful chemical that poses significant health risks to consumers.
Speaking on Thursday, the Gombe State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Pharmacist James Agada, emphasized the dangers of consuming fruits treated with calcium carbide.
He stated, “The consumption of fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide is dangerous to health. Calcium carbide contains impurities such as arsenic, lead particles, and phosphorus, which can cause cancer, heart, kidney, and liver failure.”
Agada revealed that the interception followed ongoing efforts by NAFDAC to educate traders and the public on the risks associated with chemically ripened fruits.
“We caught this after a series of attempts to educate fruit traders’ associations. We got this one in a shop at Hayan Dogon Ruwa in the Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State. Consumers should be aware of the risk of consuming artificially ripened fruits,” he said.
Describing the widespread challenge posed by the use of calcium carbide for fruit ripening, Agada assured the public that NAFDAC has implemented various strategies to curb the menace.
“The ripening of fruits with carbides is another public challenge facing us today. We have deployed a multifaceted approach to tackle the menace and ensure that our citizens are protected from the harmful effects of artificially ripened fruits,” he explained.
He further advised consumers on how to distinguish between naturally and artificially ripened fruits, saying, “Artificially ripened fruits can be identified by their uniform yellow color, dark stems, and powdery substances on the skin. They also tend to peel off quickly and have a shorter shelf life compared to naturally ripened fruits.”
Highlighting the impact of artificial ripening on fruit quality, Agada noted that it significantly alters the properties of the fruit. “The effects of artificial ripening on fruit quality are considerable. It leads to a loss of properties such as color, taste, and feel, and does not give the natural aroma and flavor to the fruits.”
He urged consumers to remain vigilant, particularly during the peak fruit season, and to opt for naturally ripened fruits, which tend to have distinct characteristics.
“Fruits that are ripened naturally will have brown or black spots and will be more juicy and flavorful than those that are artificially ripened,” he advised.
NAFDAC has issued a stern warning to traders engaging in the sale of chemically ripened fruits, stating that violators will face strict penalties.
“We will not tolerate any practices that put the health and well-being of our citizens at risk,” Agada warned.
