The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has once again warned Nigerians about the hazardous practice of using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items.
Specifically, the agency has banned and emphasized the
dangers associated with dichlorvos, a chemical commonly utilised by traders to
safeguard food from spoilage.
In a statement signed by Resident Media Consultant to
NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola on Sunday, the agency showed concerns over the recent
viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food
items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.
“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 limited to certified agrochemicals outlets. NAFDAC underscores the
toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal
consequences.”
The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, urged
traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant
for human consumption.
She said: “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.”
Similarly, the Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied
Products (VMAP), Dr Rametu Momodu, reiterated that using certain chemicals,
especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils
is not approved.
She explained that there are approved pesticides for use as
fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications
on the product label.
She stressed that these products should not be applied
directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.
Momodu further elaborated that consuming food contaminated
with dichlorvos can cause dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors,
and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death.
She warned that once used, pesticide residues remain on or
in the food, posing significant health risks. Washing the food does not
mitigate the risk, as the harmful substance would have already soaked into it.
She emphasised that the Agency cannot recommend washing as a
solution, as it gives a false sense of security.
“Instead, she urged grain merchants, market vendors, and
farmers to adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly
applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs. It should be used as
intended, either as a field crop treatment or a fumigant, to ensure food
safety”, she said.
Momodu 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.
NAFDAC DG, Adeyeye further emphasized alternative methods
for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option
than dichlorvos.
She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended
period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness unless
stored in the refrigerator.
In addition to the banning of the 100 ml size bottle, the
NAFDAC DG said the agency has implemented several initiatives such as
stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of
dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs and thorough laboratory testing to ensure
pesticide residues do not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption
and for exports.
She said, “Routine monitoring of stakeholders is also
conducted to ensure compliance.”
Adeyeye continued NAFDAC’s commitment to global best
practices, including the phase-out of certain pesticides that have been banned
in other countries due to proven toxicity.
She also acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to
bans on various chemicals and emphasized the importance of transitioning to
safer alternatives.
Addressing misconceptions about banned chemicals being
dumped in Nigeria, she clarified that comprehensive lists have been provided to
the media to dispel such notions.