Nigerian govt raises alarm over use of carbide to ripen fruits, paracetamol to soften meat

The Federal Government has raised concerns over the growing use of dangerous chemicals in food processing, warning Nigerians against practices such as using calcium carbide to ripen fruits, paracetamol to soften meat and detergents in cassava production.

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2026 World Science Day for Peace and Development.

He also identified the use of unapproved chemicals to preserve beans and grains, as well as prohibited dyes such as Sudan IV in palm oil, as harmful practices that pose serious health risks.

Udeh warned that food adulteration and unsafe processing methods expose consumers to dangerous substances, weaken public confidence in food products and threaten national food security.

“Food should nourish people, not put their lives at risk,” he said.

The minister cited World Health Organisation figures showing that foodborne diseases affect approximately 866 million people worldwide annually, resulting in about 1.52 million deaths.

He said Nigeria accounts for an estimated 50 million cases of foodborne illnesses and more than 53,000 deaths every year.

To tackle the problem, Udeh said the Federal Government would strengthen food safety monitoring through the deployment of qualified food science and technology professionals, particularly across local government areas.

He disclosed that about 3,000 food science and technology graduates emerge annually from 70 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, but the country lacks a structured professional framework to effectively engage their expertise in public service.

The minister said the government would work towards establishing a professional cadre for practitioners, alongside personnel audits and assessments to identify existing skills gaps.

He also called on food businesses and regulatory agencies to employ qualified professionals and ensure that practitioners maintain valid registrations and annual practising licences.