Sodiq Ojuroungbe The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned Nigerians against the hazardous practice of using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items The Agency highlighted the dangers associated with dichlorvos, a chemical commonly utilised by traders to safeguard food from spoilage. This development is in response to a PUNCH Healthwise report , which exposed how traders engage in harmful practices to preserve fish. The report with the headline, ‘Experts advocate tough measures as defiant traders use pesticides to preserve fish’, was published on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
PUNCH Healthwise reported how a disturbing video surfaced on social media showing a trader using Sniper, a highly toxic pesticide, to preserve stockfish by applying it directly. The video created apprehension and sparked debates regarding the potential health risks associated with the misuse of such toxic chemicals. Experts, who exclusively spoke with our correspondent called for robust policy measures to address the widespread misuse of harmful chemicals in food processing.
They stressed the critical role of government intervention in enforcing existing regulations and ensuring compliance with bans on the open sale of hazardous chemicals like sniper. The physicians said the highly toxic nature of the pesticide poses severe health risks to consumers, with potential adverse effects ranging from nausea and vomiting to long-term organ damage and even cancer. Reacting to the .
