NAFDAC Cautions Against Using Calcium Carbide to Ripen Fruits
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a strong warning to fruit dealers and vendors against using calcium carbide to ripen fruits, citing serious health risks.
NAFDAC’s Sokoto State Coordinator, Abdulsalam Lawal, delivered the warning during a public awareness campaign at the fruit market in Sokoto on Monday. He emphasized that the practice is hazardous to public health, potentially causing kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and other life-threatening conditions.
“With Ramadan fasting approaching, when fruit consumption increases, using calcium carbide for ripening is particularly dangerous to health,” Lawal cautioned.
He clarified that calcium carbide is meant for industrial use, such as welding and melting iron, and should not be used on food items. NAFDAC has pledged to enhance surveillance efforts to prevent its sale to fruit vendors.
Alhaji Bello Danda, Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, urged sellers to adopt safe and hygienic ripening methods. He also warned that those caught using calcium carbide would face penalties.
Danda demonstrated safer fruit ripening techniques and highlighted the importance of maintaining hygiene, especially in Sokoto’s fruit market, which attracts buyers from across Nigeria and neighboring countries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the awareness campaign, which began on February 18, includes ongoing engagements with fruit sellers at various locations to promote safe practices.
