The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned fruit dealers and sellers against using calcium carbide to ripen fruits for commercial purposes.
The warning was issued by the NAFDAC Coordinator in Sokoto State, Mr Abdulsalam Lawal, during a public awareness campaign at a fruit market in Sokoto on Monday.
Lawal urged fruit sellers to abandon the harmful practice, stressing that it poses serious risks to public health.
He cautioned that the use of calcium carbide could lead to severe health conditions, including kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and other life-threatening diseases.
“With Ramadan approaching, a period of increased fruit consumption, using calcium carbide to hasten fruit ripening is extremely hazardous to our health,” Lawal stated.
He explained that calcium carbide is legally permitted only for industrial purposes, such as welding, and that NAFDAC would intensify surveillance to prevent its misuse by fruit vendors.
Lawal noted that fruits such as mangoes, bananas, pawpaws, and watermelons are commonly ripened with calcium carbide in the region.
Alhaji Bello Danda, Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, urged sellers to adopt safer and more hygienic methods.
He warned that those found violating these guidelines would face penalties.
Danda also demonstrated how fruits could be ripened safely in large quantities without endangering consumers’ health.
He highlighted that the fruit market in Sokoto is widely patronised by buyers from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ongoing awareness campaign, which began on 18th February, has seen the NAFDAC team engage with marketers at various locations on the dangers of unsafe fruit ripening practices.
