Gov’t warns against use of toxic chemicals to preserve food

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised a warning to Nigerians over the unsafe use of chemicals to preserve food.

Particularly, the agency stressed the health risks associated with dichlorvos, a chemical commonly utilized by traders to protect food from spoilage.

NAFDAC, in a statement, cautioned that the used of dichlorvos has fatal consequences to human health, noting that 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 only limited to certified agrochemicals outlets.

The statement read: “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.

“These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.”

Lending her voice, the Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), Dr. Rametu Momodu, stated that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not an approved method.

She explained further that there are other approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should only be used according to the manufacturer’s prescription on the product label and they should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.

Dr. Momodu emphasized that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos can lead to dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death.

She cautioned that washing the food does not lower the risk, as the harmful substance would have already soaked into it neither can the agency recommend washing as a solution, as it gives a false sense of security.

To ensure the maximum low risk of dichlorvos, Momodu encouraged grain merchants, market vendors, and farmers to adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs.

She also advised consumers to avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions.