The Senate has expressed concern about the increasing use of hazardous chemicals, especially calcium carbide, by fruit merchants to artificially ripen fruits, and has decided to change current legislation to make this practice illegal.
Lawmakers urged further research into the unsightly practice, characterising the use of dangerous chemicals for fruit ripening as a serious public health risk to consumers nationwide.
The action came after Senator Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South) sponsored a motion urging immediate action from the appropriate regulatory bodies.
The Senate subsequently decided to order the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) to look into the growing incidence of the detrimental practice.
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Senator Ani warned that prolonged exposure could have far-reaching effects on public health, pointing out that the use of hazardous chemicals for fruit ripening has resulted in major health issues like cancer, kidney failure, and other fatal diseases.
To act as a deterrence and protect Nigerians’ health, the Senate suggested harsher punishments for violators.
For additional legislative action, the motion has been moved to the Senate Committee on Health and Agriculture.
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