Urgent Need to Investigate and Halt the Continuous Unwholesome Practice of Chemical Ripening of Fruits in Nigeria
The Senate summoned the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday to address concerns over the unchecked use of harmful chemicals by fruit vendors to accelerate fruit ripening.
This followed the adoption of a motion presented by Senator Anthony Ani (APC-Ebonyi) during plenary in Abuja.
The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Investigate and Halt the Continuous Unwholesome Practice of Chemical Ripening of Fruits in Nigeria,” highlights the growing problem.
Senator Ani expressed concern over the increasing reliance on chemical agents to ripen fruits, describing it as a “dangerous departure from the natural ripening process.”
He explained that naturally ripened fruits offer superior sweetness, texture, and nutritional value, but many vendors are now using harmful substances to speed up ripening and enhance appearance for profit.
While he acknowledged that chemicals like ethylene and methyl jasmonate are relatively safe, Ani pointed out that the real issue is the widespread use of toxic substances such as calcium carbide, ethephon, and ethylene glycol, which often contain harmful residues like lead and arsenic.
The senator warned that exposure to these chemicals can lead to serious health problems, including cancer, kidney damage, liver failure, neurological disorders, and even death in severe cases.
Ani attributed the persistence of this practice to profit motives and a lack of awareness among fruit vendors.
“People are unknowingly consuming poison disguised as ripened fruits,” he said.
He also criticized the inadequate enforcement of regulations by relevant authorities, noting that while many countries have banned such chemicals, Nigeria has yet to implement effective control measures.
Consequently, the Senate resolved to summon NAFDAC’s management to appear before the Committees on Health and Agriculture to report on current efforts and outline plans to tackle chemical ripening.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, along with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), was directed to investigate the issue and take immediate action.
NAFDAC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) were tasked with intensifying public awareness campaigns on the health dangers of artificially ripened fruits.
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and Nigerian Customs Service were instructed to increase inspections of imported fruits, especially apples, to ensure they are free from harmful preservatives.
Furthermore, the Senate Committee on Legal Matters was mandated to review existing laws and propose tougher penalties for offenders.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized that protecting public health must be a top priority and warned that Nigeria’s fruit markets must not become breeding grounds for toxic substances masquerading as fresh produce.