Osinbajo raises alarm over chemicals in fruits, recalls wife’s orange juice experience

Osinbajo raises alarm over chemicals in fruits, recalls wife’s orange juice experience

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has raised concerns over the alleged use of dangerous chemicals in fruits and vegetables, warning Nigerians about potential food safety risks associated with the production, ripening and preservation of fresh produce.

Osinbajo also recounted a personal experience involving his wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, saying she developed frequent headaches after she began drinking freshly squeezed orange juice every day, before a laboratory test reportedly found the juice “not fit for human consumption.”

He spoke at the Open Day for Gardeners’ Seminar in Lagos, held under the theme, “Leaving the Earth Better Than We Found It.”

Osinbajo said his wife had developed the habit of drinking a full glass of freshly squeezed orange juice daily after she stopped consuming carbonated drinks.

According to him, she later began experiencing unusual and frequent headaches, prompting her to examine the food and drinks she was consuming to determine the possible cause.

He said the family initially ruled out the orange juice because it was considered a healthy drink.

“We assumed, of course, it couldn’t be the ‘healthy’ orange juice,” Osinbajo said.

He said the juice was subsequently subjected to laboratory testing, with the result allegedly showing that the freshly squeezed drink was “not fit for human consumption.”

Osinbajo said the experience raised questions about the chemicals that may be introduced into fruits and vegetables before they reach consumers.

“Apparently farmers use dangerous pesticides for fruits and vegetables, and fruit and vegetable sellers use very dangerous chemicals sometimes to ripen or preserve fruits and vegetables,” he said.

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The former Vice-President specifically raised concerns about calcium carbide, which he said is sometimes used to accelerate the ripening or change the colour of fruits.

“Calcium carbide is used very frequently to force fruits such as bananas, mangoes, pawpaws and tomatoes to change colour and look ripe very quickly,” he added.

To support his concerns, Osinbajo referenced studies from different parts of Nigeria which he said documented the use of chemicals among some fruit sellers.

He cited a 2024 study in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, saying that half of 20 fruit sellers interviewed admitted using calcium carbide. He also referred to another study in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he said 25 per cent of fruit sellers reportedly admitted using the chemical to ripen fruits.

Osinbajo further cited a 2023 survey in Lagos, saying 22 out of 50 fruit retailers interviewed admitted using chemicals to preserve their produce.

“These were the ones who agreed they do,” he said.

The former Vice-President said the issue should be viewed beyond individual consumers, arguing that the safety of food requires attention throughout the agricultural and food supply chain.

From farming and harvesting to transportation, storage, ripening and retailing, produce passes through several stages before reaching consumers. Improper use of agricultural chemicals at any stage can create food safety concerns, particularly where products are not used according to approved guidelines.

Osinbajo’s remarks have consequently renewed attention on food safety in Nigeria, particularly the need for stronger monitoring of agricultural chemicals and practices used by farmers and food vendors.

The concerns are also relevant to the work of regulatory agencies responsible for protecting consumers and enforcing standards, including NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

However, the specific laboratory report referenced by Osinbajo has not been independently published alongside the reports of his remarks. There is also no independent medical evidence establishing that the orange juice caused his wife’s headaches.

The former Vice-President’s account should therefore be understood as a personal experience and warning about food safety, rather than as independent proof that chemically treated oranges caused the reported symptoms.

Osinbajo’s intervention also forms part of a wider discussion about sustainable agriculture and environmental responsibility. His presentation at the gardeners’ seminar touched on issues including food safety, the future of seeds and the protection of trees and forests.

He urged greater attention to how food is produced and handled, stressing that the appearance of freshness does not necessarily guarantee that a food product is safe for consumption.

The issue places renewed responsibility on farmers, food sellers, consumers and regulatory authorities to promote compliance with food safety standards and discourage unsafe practices.

For consumers, experts generally advise washing fresh produce thoroughly and purchasing fruits and vegetables from reliable sources, while farmers and vendors are expected to follow approved guidelines for the use of agricultural chemicals.

Osinbajo’s warning has added his voice to calls for stronger oversight of Nigeria’s food supply chain and greater public awareness of practices that could compromise the safety of food reaching Nigerian households.

Osinbajo raises alarm over chemicals in fruits, recalls wife’s orange juice experience