As Ramadan approaches, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a strong warning to fruit vendors and consumers about the dangers of chemically ripened fruits.
Speaking in Yola on Thursday, NAFDAC’s Adamawa Coordinator, Mr. Gonzuk Bedima, cautioned against the use of calcium carbide—a welding chemical commonly misused to speed up fruit ripening, especially in bananas and oranges.
Bedima stressed that consuming fruits ripened with this chemical poses serious health risks, including cancer. “Calcium carbide can trigger cancer in any part of the body,” he warned, urging the public to be extra cautious during the fasting season when fruit consumption surges.
He advised consumers to watch out for fruits that appear unnaturally ripe on the outside but remain unripe inside—a telltale sign of chemical ripening. “If you suspect such fruits, avoid them and report to NAFDAC,” he urged.
NAFDAC also reaffirmed its commitment to sensitizing fruit sellers, promising intensified monitoring and public awareness campaigns to protect consumers from harmful food practices.
