Experts says artificial ripening of fruits, causes cancer, liver, kidney diseases
The medical health experts gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) warns Nigerians against using chemicals to ripen fruits, saying substances like carbide are responsible for the rising cases of liver, kidney and cancer in the country.
The experts added that calcium carbide remained the most commonly used chemical for ripening these fruits and that application of this chemical always put severe pressure to become ripe prematurely.
“This is the same chemical that is used to manufacture fire-crackers; they are also used as pesticides and they contain phosphorous and releases acetylene gas, which hastens the ripening of fruits,” Grace Olasumbo, a Nutritionist said.
According to Olasumbo when an individual takes in such poisonous substance, the chemical components would cause a fatal reaction which could affect the liver, kidney and throat.
“Intake of Calcium Carbide has also been found to be the leading cause of various health conditions such as diarrhoea, severe gastrointestinal upset, eye problems, ulcers and emotional trauma.
“Others are restlessness, seizures, tremors, irritation of the skin, mouth, throat, liver and cancer,” she said.
Olasumbo advised that people should pick their fruits wisely at the stores or markets.
“Fruits such as bananas, mangoes, apples, watermelons, orange, peers, among others, should be properly checked.
“Most times, the colour of the fruits will not be uniform; it may have yellow and green patches unlike when it naturally ripens.
“The texture will also be hard even when it appears yellow.
“The fruits will also be low on flavour, less juicy and often will not be as sweet as they should,” she added
The nutritionist advised Nigerians to ensure adequate washing of fruits and vegetables before consumption and once the taste is odd, they should discontinue its intake.
Ibrahim Adamu, director, public health, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, said most people indulging in the act were ignorant of the consequences and needed to be educated on the dangers of their action.
The official said that the ministry, in line with the directive of the Federal Government, had embarked on sensitisation programmes to alert people on the dangers posed by such practice.
“We are now trying to meet with the fruit sellers in order to educate them because some of them may not know the dangers of their actions.
“We also intend to engage security agencies after sensitising the communities and cautioning the fruits sellers on the dangers of their actions in order to stem the tide,” Adamu said.
He said that the ministry was already collaborating with the state House of Assembly to enact laws for effective prosecution of those found to be engaged in such unwholesome practices.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Association of Fruits Sellers, Kano State Chapter, has appealed to members across the country to fear God and stop artificial ripening of fruits and related commodities because of its inherent health dangers.
The Public Relations Officer II of the association at Yan’lemu Market, Ado Shehu, made the call in an interview with NAN in Kano
“I am using this opportunity to call on our members nationwide to have the fear of Allah in mind so that they will not cause any harm to consumers as carbide is dangerous to human health,’’ he said.
Agency Report