Nigeria: Govt Raises Alarm Over Use of Chemicals to Ripen Fruits, Soften Meat
[Leadership] The federal government has raised concerns over the use of harmful chemicals in food processing and preservation in Nigeria, warning against practices such as using calcium carbide to ripen fruits, paracetamol to soften meat and detergents in cassava processing.
The Nigerian government has expressed alarm over the use of harmful chemicals in food processing and preservation practices, warning against methods such as using calcium carbide to ripen fruits, paracetamol to soften meat, and detergents in cassava processing. Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Dr Kingsley Udeh highlighted these dangerous practices during an event marking the 2026 World Science Day for Peace and Development, emphasizing that unsafe food handling, fraud, and adulteration pose serious national concerns, exposing consumers to harmful substances and unhygienic processing methods.
Udeh also announced plans to strengthen food safety monitoring by deploying qualified food science and technology professionals, particularly at the local government level, to combat these issues and ensure safer food handling practices.
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