Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has lamented what it calls massive food adulteration in Nigerian markets even as the Commission raised the alarm over the unhealthy practices.
FCCPC pointed out that the practice is going on in the market places, where food items and some other basic products are adulterated by retailers for improved profits.
The Commission said the discoveries it made recently from across different markets in Nigeria regarding the adulteration of food items was shocking, and posed a big threat to the health of the population.
Acting Executive Vice Chairman, FCCPC, Abdullahi Adamu, raised the alarm, in Abuja, at an advocacy programme on the dangers of forceful ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat and grains, with market women, students, and several other stakeholders in attendance.
He registered his concerns with the long term effect of such consumptions on the health of the people, thus reawakening the consciousness of Nigerians to the such “deadly” practices within and outside the market places by profit-seeking merchants, and the need to be more careful to patronize reputable markets and individuals for food items.
The FCCPC boss said that their findings across the markets indicated that such “deadly” practices are prevalent among dealers in fruits, grains, frozen food, among several others, and unfortunately, such dealers, and others, have formed themselves into cartels to arbitrarily fix prices of items.
He highlighted the dangers of such “deadly” practices to human health, thus appealing to the retailers and market management to assist the Commission in fighting the individuals that have “unleashed the terror” and attached more importance to profits than the health of the people.
“Sadly, the quest for money has eroded the values and morals of our people. People no longer have the fear of God in them. It’s about money or nothing. It’s surprising to see many people could go as far as trading with people’s health and life to make money. These behaviours and characters are not part of us, and we should fight it.
“We have been to the markets to see how market associations and retailers took advantage of Nigerians to make illegal fortunes. They have formed themselves into strong cartels, taking undue advantage of people. Food prices keep going up despite efforts by the government. This is absurd. In our markets, onions, yam, and other food items are being cut into pieces so that people can afford it.”
He, however, appealed to the culprits to desist from actions, stressing that FCCPC would come down hard on them soon if they fail to stop such deadly practices that are harmful to the health of the people.
Femi Stephen, an official of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in his presentation, painted the gory pictures of the health implications of food adulteration, particularly using unhealthy substances to ripen them.
He stated that olive oil seems to be one of the most adulterated products in Nigeria, and unfortunately, it’s mostly used for religious engagement.
He used pictorial illustrations to educate the people about the dangers of forceful ripening of fruits and other food items, as well as the deadly diseases that people could be exposed to after a long term access to such adulterated food products.
