JUST IN: Senate Moves to Criminalize Use of Chemicals to Ripen Fruits
The Nigerian Senate has taken a bold step to tackle the rising health risks posed by artificial fruit ripening, declaring the practice—especially the use of harmful substances like calcium carbide—a criminal offence.
This decision followed a motion presented by Senator Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South), who raised alarm over the widespread and dangerous use of toxic chemicals by fruit vendors to speed up ripening. He described it as a growing public health crisis that demands immediate intervention.
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According to Senator Ani, substances like calcium carbide—commonly used to force fruits to ripen—are not only unfit for consumption but have been linked to serious illnesses, including kidney failure, cancer, and other chronic conditions. He urged authorities to act quickly to prevent a major health disaster.
In response, the Senate passed a resolution mandating the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to launch a thorough investigation into the practice.
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Lawmakers also pushed for tougher penalties for offenders, proposing that stricter laws and enforcement would serve as a deterrent to those endangering public health for profit.
The motion has now been referred to the Senate Committees on Health and Agriculture for further action and legislative follow-up.
As the conversation around food safety in Nigeria intensifies, this move by the Senate could mark a turning point in efforts to protect consumers from toxic and unregulated agricultural practices