The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has lamented the harmful food quality that is endangering millions Nigerian lives and also eroding consumer trust and sabotage the integrity of the food systems.
As a result, the commission then sensitized the public on quality food standards, safety, regulation, and fair business practices at the one-day sensitization campaign on Thursday in Jos the Plateau State capital.
In his keynote address at the sensitization programme, the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Olatunji Bello, said that they have the statutory responsibility to protect and promote the interest and welfare of consumers as well as ensure fair competition.
Represented by the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, said food is not merely for sustenance or a commodity, but that it is a fundamental human right.
So, he said, access to safe, unadulterated, and nutritious food is a key pillar of public health, economic development, and national security, adding that ensuring the quality and safety of what consumers eat is not a responsibility that rests solely with regulators or manufacturers, but a shared commitment.
“The issues of food quality standards, safety, and fair business practices are more pressing than ever, but we continue to witness alarming trends like.the forceful ripening of fruits using harmful chemicals such as calcium which are highly toxic to humans; carbide, which contains trace amounts of arsenic and phosphorus both of which are highly toxic to humans.
“There is also the adulteration of food products with dangerous additives and preservatives chemicals such as bromate, Sudan red colorant, sniper, formalin, among others.
“Improper handling and contamination across the food value chain, from farm to table such as poor storage conditions, unhygienic environment. poor waste disposal, exposure of food stuffs to flies, insects and rodents etc, is also an issue.
“These practices not only endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians, but they also erode consumer trust and sabotage the integrity of our food systems.
“The FCCPC, as the apex consumer protection body in Nigeria, has the statutory mandate to promote consumer interests, ensure fair market practices, and prevent exploitative or dangerous conduct in all sectors of the economy including the food and agricultural sector,”he said.
According to him, they have continued to work collaboratively with relevant agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOSW), The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and State and Local Government Health and Agriculture authorities, amongst others, in order to improve compliance with food safety laws and consumer rights.
He added that through market surveillance, consumer education, enforcement actions, and strategic partnerships, the FCCPC has intervened in numerous cases involving hazardous food practices. We have also shut down facilities, imposed sanctions, and prosecuted offenders, where necessary.
In her remarks, the Assistant Chief Laboratory Technologist of NAFDAC, Evelyn Garba Pofi, revealed the signs to know that fruits, especially bananas, are preserved with calcium cupboards, which is unhealthy for human consumption.
“Using of calcium carbide causes serious health challenge and health risks to the consumers. Among these health challenges are that it can cause cancer of the kidney and that of the liver, cancer of the skin, mouth problems, rashes, and the whole lot of health problems.
“I wonder why sellers want to risk people’s lives because of the little profit they will make from products.
“And to curb that, NAFDAC has employed the use of on-the-spot-test-strips and officials will go to the market to test whether calcium carbide fruits, and if we find out to be so, we can seize the products and prosecute the sellers,” she said.