NOA, NAFDAC, SON WARN TRADERS AGAINST USING CHEMICALS FOR FOOD PRESERVATION 30-01-25
By Sadiq Aminu The National Orientation Agency (NOA) Kano state office has urged fruit, grain and vegetable sells to desist from using chemicals for food preservation.
The Acting State Director, NOA Kano Alhaji Rabiu Ado, made the call during a public awareness campaign held at Dawanau Grains Market Nai’bawa, Yan Lemu Fruits and vegetables market held in collaboration with NAFDAC and SON.
Ado emphasized that using chemicals for food preservation is harmful and dangerous.
He decried rising cases of chemical use to preserve food, saying that it can lead to kidney, hypertension and other dangerous illnesses.
The Assistant Director of the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC Kano Danladi Abba, warned against the practice, specifically mentioning the use of calcium carbide.
He noted that calcium carbide is only permitted for use by welders to melt iron doors and vehicles, and that its use in food preservation is suicidal.
To address this issue, the deputy director hinted that NAFDAC will start monitoring welders who buy calcium carbide to ensure it’s not being sold to fruit sellers.
“Anyone caught violating this rule will face the law”
The secretary Nigerian Fruits Sellers Association Adam Muhammed and the Chairman Dawanau grains market association Muttaqa Isah advised fruit, vegetable and grain sellers to use hygienic methods for preservation.
“We have set up a taskforce to checkmate how grains are preserved during fumigation“
Africa247 reports that, other relevant stakeholders, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Environmental health officials, attended the awareness campaign to show their support for the cause.