Health

Consumers raise concerns as sellers use chemicals to ripen fruits

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2023

Consumers raise concerns as sellers use chemicals to ripen fruits

There has been a growing concern among consumers of fruits and vegetables in Benue State following the discovery that some of the sellers use chemicals to ripen them to make quick sales and maximize profit without minding the health implications of the dangerous act.

It is suspected that the Shylock fruit dealers use chemicals such as calcium carbide on unripe fruits such as mangoes, bananas, pawpaw and apples to ripen them and give them out as ready for human consumption.

By so doing, unsuspecting consumers buy the fruits with delight and go home only to discover that they are not tasty despite appearing ripe and attractive on the surface. And, as this dangerous practice came to the fore recently, many fruit consumers have started developing cold feet about buying fruits and vegetables, which are produced in large quantities in Benue State.

While many consumers express worry over the rising danger of fruit ripening with chemicals, Arewa Voice gathered that health experts are also cautioning against the use of chemicals to ripen fruits, warning that it is dangerous to health as it could lead to cancer.

A medical expert, Dr. Jude Uwar, warned that those who resort to using chemicals to ripen fruits to make brisk businesses are indirectly killing their fellow beings. “This practice is injurious to the health of the direct consumers, and it is responsible for the high rate of cancer in society,” Uwar cautioned.

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A fruits trader in the popular Railway Fruit Market, clearly Makurdi’s biggest market, Mr. Agber Iorwuese, acknowledged that there had been reports of people resorting to artificial means to ripen fruits but that it had not been officially tabled before the market leaders. He said: “There have been a series of allegations of traders applying chemicals to ripen fruit like mangoes and bananas, but the truth is that such information is yet to be verified. In fact, in this railway market we have no record of such. But there have been reports that some people used to ripen the fruit from the source in the villages before bringing it to the market.

“We learned that sometimes the mangoes are plucked and kept for about two to three days before they are moved to the market. So one cannot say emphatically what happens there. But here in the market, it does not happen. But most times when mangoes are brought to the market, they are already ripe, and the unripe ones are not many. So one cannot tell the process it goes through in the villages; but here, we do not tolerate such. Last year we heard a report that Benue mangoes were being rejected and sent back from two Abuja markets over the issue, but we have not noticed it here in our market.

“Only two weeks ago, our chairlady came out and sounded the warning to all traders that such act would not be tolerated in the market. And I am sure everyone took the advice. I am sure she came out to sound the warning following fears being expressed in other quarters over the development, though we have not noticed it at the railway fruit market. And you know that a chemical like calcium carbide has odour and if you drop it here, anyone nearby will perceive the odour. So it is difficult to apply it here in the market. It might happen elsewhere, but not here. We also heard that they use it to ripen plantains and bananas too. We heard of a dealer who used the chemical to ripen his banana, and in no time it became soft and unnaturally ripe. And any banana you treat in that manner gets ripe but goes bad in less than four hours. So I advise my fellow traders to avoid the temptation of applying chemicals to food items because it is dangerous and it is not recommended by authorities. We must put an end to such practices because of the implications for human life.”

Related Topics:Chemicals Consumers fruits

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Health

FG destroys another 200 containers of expired drugs

Published

18 hours ago

March 23, 2025

Trends Admin

FG destroys another 200 containers of expired drugs

The Federal Government Joint Committee on the destruction of fake, illicit and expired pharmaceuticals has destroyed another 200 containers of substandard drugs worth billions of Naira imported into the country through the Apapa and Tin-Can Island seaports.

This is coming after the committee initially destroyed 250 containers of the same expired pharmaceutical products in January, 2025.

To this end, the committee comprising the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), National Security Adviser (NSA), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Nigerian Army has destroyed a total of 450 containers of expired drugs in the first quarter of 2025.

The destruction exercise which took place in Epe, Lagos State yesterday, was part of a broader initiative of the Federal Government to curb importation of illicit and controlled drugs in order to safeguard public health and curb drug-related crimes in the country.

The pharmaceuticals destroyed were Tramadol, codeine, Apetamine, and Analgin injection amongst others.

Speaking to newsmen, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the initiative was important to prevent the circulation of dangerous substances such as Tramadol and Codeine, which are often abused, thus contributing to criminal activities in the country.

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Mallam Ribadu, who was represented by Ibrahim Sulaiman, said the destroyed drugs were seized at Apapa, Tin Can, and Lekki seaports.

He, however, disclosed that similar destruction was conducted in Port Harcourt as part of the first phase.

“The National Security Adviser is very passionate about ensuring that these illicit drugs do not remain in circulation. The government will not allow perpetrators to act with impunity; they will be arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.

The intercepted drugs were either expired or classified as controlled substances that should only be used under strict medical supervision.

Also, the Assistant Customs Controller, A.O Oguntuase from FOU Zone A, emphasised the enforcement efforts of security agencies in tracking and intercepting these illegal imports.

“Through intelligence gathering and swift action, we have been able to prevent the distribution of these drugs.

“The value of the destroyed substances is enormous, with each container estimated to be worth close to a billion naira,” he said.

On his part, representative of the NDLEA, DC Omotosho Solomon, stated that suspects arrested in connection with the goods were being tried in court.

Solomon warned importers engaged in the trafficking of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals to desist from such acts or face the full process of law on illegal importation.

FG destroys another 200 containers of expired drugs

Health

1,319 died of Diphtheria in Nigeria, says NCDC

Published

7 days ago

March 17, 2025

Trends Admin

1,319 died of Diphtheria in Nigeria, says NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in the country has claimed 1,319 lives.

The alarming figure was disclosed in the latest situation report from the National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), published on the agency’s official website.

Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, primarily affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.

The bacteria produce a dangerous toxin that can cause severe complications such as breathing difficulties, heart failure, and nerve damage.

According to the NCDC, more than 42,000 suspected cases have been recorded across 37 states since 2022. The latest report covers epidemiological week 10 of 2025 and highlights ongoing challenges in controlling the outbreak, including low vaccination coverage, inadequate laboratory capacity, and delays in confirming cases,” the agency stated.

Kano State accounts for 75% of confirmed cases, with 18,108 out of 25,812 recorded in the country. Other high-burden states include Bauchi with 2,334 cases, Yobe with 2,408 cases, and Katsina with 1,501 cases.

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Out of the 42,642 suspected cases reported, 25,812, or 60.5%, have been confirmed, including 396 laboratory-confirmed cases, 216 epidemiologically linked cases, and 25,200 clinically compatible cases. A total of 7,769 cases, representing 18.2%, have been discarded, while 3,591 cases, or 8.4%, remain pending classification. Another 5,470 cases, making up 12.8%, have an unknown classification.

The confirmed cases are spread across 184 Local Government Areas in 26 states. Kano, with 18,108 cases, has the highest number, followed by Bauchi with 2,334 cases, Yobe with 2,408 cases, Katsina with 1,501 cases, Borno with 1,161 cases, Jigawa with 53 cases, Plateau with 119 cases, and Kaduna with 44 cases. These states together account for 99.7% of all confirmed infections.

The NCDC reported that the overall case fatality rate stands at 5.1%, meaning that one in every 20 confirmed cases results in death. However, some states have recorded significantly higher mortality rates. Kaduna has a fatality rate of 58%, Plateau 48%, Lagos 83 per cent, and Adamawa 80%.

In the latest reporting week, 23 new suspected cases were identified, 20 in Lagos and three in Katsina. However, none have yet been confirmed, with 56.5% of cases still unclassified due to delays in laboratory testing.

To curb the outbreak, the NCDC stated that the federal government has launched reactive vaccination campaigns in high-burden states and intensified community engagement efforts, particularly through traditional and religious leaders.

The agency urged the public to ensure they are vaccinated and to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as sore throat, fever, or difficulty breathing.

1,319 died of Diphtheria in Nigeria, says NCDC

Health

NAFDAC uncovers syndicate scamming foreign firms with fake documents

Published

1 week ago

March 15, 2025

Trends Admin

NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

NAFDAC uncovers syndicate scamming foreign firms with fake documents

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a fraudulent syndicate impersonating the agency to scam foreign companies using fake documents.

The agency announced the discovery in a statement by Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye FAS, its Director General, following a petition from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE, which fell victim to the scam.

It was revealed that the syndicate is being led by one Ikoro Mang Ifendu who was arrested on February 7, 2025, in Aba, Abia State for allegedly defrauding foreign firms by posing as a NAFDAC official.

“Mr. Ikoro Mang Ifendu of 26, Park Road, Aba Abia State, born on the 2nd of January, 1973, was arrested on the 7th of February 2025 at Ogborn Hills, Aba, Abia State in a case of alleged fraud and obtaining huge funds by false pretence from unsuspecting foreigners that cuts across various countries as a NAFDAC Staff. He is a native of Amamba Village, Abiriba in Ohafia LGA, Abia State. His level of education is SSCE and he deals in clothing materials. The suspect is in our custody and is cooperating with the investigation,” the agency stated.

How the syndicate operated

NAFDAC disclosed that the syndicate used a sophisticated three-pronged scheme involving a buyer, a bank, and a lawyer. First, a buyer would contact foreign firms to purchase goods for importation into Nigeria.

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The company would then be introduced to a bank, where they were informed that NAFDAC approval was required for transactions. A lawyer would subsequently be introduced, claiming to facilitate NAFDAC certification for a fee. Fraudulent receipts and counterfeit NAFDAC certificates were issued to victims.

The fraudulent operation extended across multiple banks and accounts. Investigations revealed that the group managed 15 domiciliary and 5 local accounts in seven Nigerian banks, with an inflow of over $950,000 into Nigerian accounts and $450,000 into offshore accounts in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Even after Ifendu’s arrest, foreign victims continued to send money, with a recent alert of $75,000 received in one of the accounts.

Fake documents used in the scam

The documents used to deceive foreign companies included:

A counterfeit Certificate of Registration for Dried Fish (Seafood) under the NAFDAC Registration No. A2-7059, issued to Thani Almaeeni Trading Group.
Fake revenue receipts, including a N6,687,000 receipt dated November 28, 2024, and another N20,900,000 receipt dated December 13, 2024.
A forged processing requirement document for $13,785, purportedly signed by a former NAFDAC director who retired a year earlier.
Fraudulent Swift Advice copies, including a $1,990 transaction to Rosemary Obosi and a $3,000 transaction to Ifendu.
A telegraphic transfer record showing USD 132,972.84 sent to Citycode Savings & Loans, Lagos, on December 24, 2024.

The fraudsters also used letterheads falsely to identify themselves as HALI & CO Chambers, operated by Ifendu and Obosi.

Foreign companies affected

Aside from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, other victims identified include
Japan Long Tie (China) Co. Ltd, Jinan, China (importation of condoms
BEYOND-Korea, USA
Aquaforest SP, Poland (drinks and vegetable oil registration)
Nomea srl, Italy
Tianyan Filter Cloth Co. Ltd, China
Siam Canadian China Ltd, China (frozen onion spices)

Case transferred to EFCC

Following NAFDAC’s findings, the case will be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. The probe will extend beyond NAFDAC-regulated products to track assets acquired through fraudulent activities.

“This investigation will invoke POCA [Proceeds of Crime Act] on all the assets illegally acquired in the course of these fraudulent activities,” NAFDAC stated.

NAFDAC has warned businesses against engaging consulting firms claiming to facilitate product registrations.

The agency advised firms to verify all NAFDAC-related registrations through its official portal: https://registration.nafdac.gov.ng/