NIGERIA – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about the hazardous practice of using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items.

The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption.

She said, “The misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects.”

Specifically, the agency has banned and emphasized the dangers associated with dichlorvos, a chemical commonly utilised by traders to safeguard food from spoilage.

In a statement signed by Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, the agency showed concerns over the recent viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.

“The sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), sold as Sniper® has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets. NAFDAC underscores the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences,” NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC DG, Adeyeye further emphasized alternative methods for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option than dichlorvos.

She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness unless stored in the refrigerator.

In addition to the banning of the 100 ml size bottle, the NAFDAC DG said the agency has implemented several initiatives such as stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs and thorough laboratory testing to ensure pesticide residues do not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption and for exports.

Adeyeye acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals and emphasized the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives.

Authorities close factory producing bottled miracle water

Meanwhile, NAFDAC has shut down a table water factory, Globod Table Water, in Delta State for allegedly “aiding and abetting the production, sale, and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome miracle water under the pretext of fake NAFDAC registration number.”

NAFDAC, in a statement by its Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said none of the products advertised and sold were registered with the agency.

“NAFDAC wishes to inform the public that none of these products being advertised and sold are registered with NAFDAC. The public is also being advised to stop patronising any of these miracle products. NAFDAC is a scientific organisation that is guided by verifiable scientific facts before registering any product.”

On August 27, 2024, a team of Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC and Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods visited the ministry, to commence investigation on the place of purchase or the manufacturing site for possible sample collection, for laboratory analysis, but the officials did not cooperate with the team.

It added that in a document made available to the NAFDAC Office, the faith organisation claimed to have entered into a production contract agreement with Globod Table Water Km 4, without the knowledge of NAFDAC State Office in Delta State.

The agency said the act was illegal according to the extant rules and regulations on commercial production.

The submitted products from the Spiritual Ministry to NAFDAC for verification include: ‘Miracle & Healing Water,’ ‘River Jordan Water,’ ‘Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida,’ ‘A New Beginning Mount Carmel Miracle Water,’ ‘Water of Life,’ ‘Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida’ (1L), ‘A New Beginning Pool of Bethsaida Water,’ and ‘Father Smelled Perfume.'”

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