The Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver, has warned residents against consuming fruits ripened with chemicals, declaring that those involved in the harmful practice are “merchants of death.”
Oliver said it has uncovered the widespread use of calcium carbide to force fruits, including, bananas, oranges, mangoes and avocados, to ripen artificially, warning that the practice was hazardous.
The Commissioner who disclosed this in a statement in Jalingo, the state capital, yesterday explained that calcium carbide contains hazardous impurities, such as arsenic, lead, and phosphorus, all of which pose grave health risks to consumers.
He noted that fruits forced to ripen with the substance lose their natural nutrients and can become toxic, increasing the risk of cancer and life-threatening conditions affecting the heart, kidney and liver.
Beyond health risks, he added, chemically ripened fruits also suffer losses in colour, taste and aroma, making them inferior to naturally ripened ones.
The commissioner urged the public to thoroughly examine fruits before purchasing them to avoid consuming contaminated produce that could lead to serious illness or premature death.
He emphasised the importance of sustained public awareness in combating the growing sale of chemically treated fruits in markets across the state.
The ministry warned that anyone found engaging in the illegal practice in Taraba State will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
