NAFDAC, FCCPC, Others Urged To Halt Chemical Ripening Of Fruits
BY PATRICK WEMAMBU
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and other related government agencies have been urged to halt the continuous unwholesome practices of chemical ripening of fruits in Nigeria.
The request was made Wednesday by the Senate at plenary. In a motion titled, ‘Urgent Need To Investigate With An Intention To Halt The Continuous Unwholesome Practices Of Chemical Ripening Of Fruits Among Fruit Sellers In Nigeria,’ – sponsored by Sen. Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South) – the Red Chamber observed that ripening of fruits is a natural physiological process that makes fruits sweeter, more palatable, edible, nutritious, softer and attractive.
Likewise, fruit ripening was viewed as a highly regulated irreversible process that involves highly coordinated, complex, biochemical and physiological changes.
The Upper House noted in addition; “… artificial ripening of fruits involves the external application of chemicals and other agents to achieve faster and more uniform ripening of fruits…among the widely used artificial ripening agents are ethylene and methyl jasmonate which have been reported to be non-toxic for human consumption; however, they are relatively expensive.
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“In many developing countries, low-cost chemicals such as calcium carbide, ethylene glycol, and ethephon are reported to be commonly used to artificially trigger the ripening processes of fruits;
“…the cosmetic quality of artificially ripened fruits will increase but organoleptic qualities (taste, colour and smell), nutrition value and shelf life are depreciated when fruits are subjected to treatment without considering maturity status.”
Contributing, members were worried that nutrition experts and regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, etc have warned against fruit ripening with calcium carbide, describing it as a harmful practice that endangers human lives.
Other speakers were worried that calcium carbide contains impurities such as arsenic, lead particles, phosphorus, etc that cause several health hazards such as cancer, heart, kidney and liver failure, neurological disorders, intestinal problems, skin damage, mouth ulcers, etc.
The Senate lamented; “…that the practice of ripening of fruits with dangerous chemicals have been on the increase among fruit sellers in Nigeria;
“…that many of these fruit sellers are ignorant of the health hazards posed by the consumption of artificially ripened fruit but driven by the incremental profit made as most customers prefer to patronize the artificially ripened fruits due to its enhanced cosmetic appearance not knowing that they are buying poison; and…that use of some of these chemicals has been banned in many countries of the world, but they are still being used indiscriminately in Nigeria.”
Accordingly, the Red Chamber resolved to;
i. Urge NAFDAC, Ministry of Agriculture &Food Security and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate the practice of chemical ripening of fruits in Nigeria;
ii. Also urge NAFDAC, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, FCCPC and NOA to increase the level of awareness by continuous sensitization and public enlightenment on the hazardous implications of chemical ripening of fruits;
iii. Further urge NAFDAC, NAQS and Nigerian Custom Service to ensure the imported fruits especially Apples are not preserved with harmful chemicals;
iv. Equally urge NAFDAC and FCCPC to commence regular visits to fruits markets to check the practice of chemical ripening of fruits;
v. Amend existing laws/extant regulations to criminalize practice of ripening of fruits.
