In a crucial move to safeguard public health, member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Iwajowa State Constituency, Hon. Anthony Oladejo Ogunsola is demanding decisive regulation and control over the unhygienic and unhealthy preservation of fruits, vegetables, and other food items by some unscrupulous sellers across the state.
A motion, sponsored by Ayetoro ile -born lawmaker highlighted the severe dangers posed by the use of chemical contaminants and unsafe practices in food preservation.
The motion,, brought to the fore the increasing menace of food poisoning resulting from the application of chemicals like formalin, calcium carbide, and excessive sulfites to preserve fruits such as oranges, bananas, apples, and mangoes.
The legislator underscored the immense health benefits of fruits and vegetables, noting their richness in vital nutrients like Vitamin C, A, K, folate, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and their role in lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
However, the House expressed deep concern that these benefits are being dangerously undermined by the actions of a few unpatriotic sellers. The motion explicitly detailed the health risks associated with chemical contamination, which can lead to poisoning, cancer risks, respiratory issues, and damage to the liver, kidney, or nervous system. Furthermore, these artificial methods can trigger allergies, asthma, or skin reactions and cause fruits to lose their natural freshness, flavour, and texture, ultimately leaving harmful residues that accumulate in the body over time.
The motion drew particular attention to the practices of street and road hawking fruit sellers, often referred to as “Aboki” within Ibadan metropolis and other parts of the State. These sellers are reportedly applying artificial dyes or chemicals to change the colour of unripe fruits, notably oranges and bananas, to give them an artificially ripe appearance.
Hon. Ogunsola cited a recent viral social media video showing an individual soaking a large volume of unripe bananas into chemical substances, resulting in an immediate change of colour to yellow. This, he noted, was very disgusting and called for serious concern and decisive steps by relevant Government Authorities.
The legislator also observed that the dangerous preservation trend is not limited to fruits. They noted that some cow meat sellers are also using formalin to preserve leftover meat for resale the following day. Consumption of such meat by unsuspecting customers is a contributing factor to various life-threatening ailments, including high blood pressure, kidney disease, and kidney stones, ultimately impacting the life expectancy of citizens. The motion cited the World Health Organisation (WHO), which posits that the lack of safe food creates a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, over-burdening Public Health services and hindering social and economic progress.
The House recalled a similar motion raised on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, regarding food poisoning through the use of chemical substances by food vendors, restaurants, and bars. Though the House had then resolved that the Committee on Health engage relevant Ministry of Health officials and eatery owners, the lawmakers observed that “there is no concrete steps taken by the Ministry of Health on the matter because the issues are still rampant.” The lack of public sensitization on the dangerous use of substances like paracetamol, potash, and Alum in cooking was also highlighted as a failure.
To address this urgent public health crisis, the Oyo State House of Assembly passed the following resolutions, effectively urging immediate action from the Executive and Federal agencies:
• Public Advocacy and Education: The Executive Arm of Government, through the Ministries of Health and Environmental and Natural Resources, must embark on serious advocacy programmes to educate the public on the dangers associated with the use of chemical substances by food and fruit sellers.
• Enforcement and Technology: The Ministries of Health and Environment and Natural Resources are urged to collaborate on workable enforcement strategies. This includes using technologies to test fruits selling at markets and roadsides to detect chemical substances. Culprits, the House resolved, must face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent.
• Ad-hoc Committee: The House resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee comprising members of the Committees on Health, Nutrition and Food Security, and Environment, Water Resources and Ecology. This committee will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of fruits, vegetables, and other food items preserved with harmful chemicals.
• NAFDAC Intervention: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is urgently urged to read a riot act on all unscrupulous and unpatriotic fruits and vegetables sellers in Oyo State, particularly in Ibadan metropolis, who use harmful chemicals for preservation.
The motion represents a strong legislative commitment to ensuring food safety and protecting the health of Oyo State citizens from the immediate and long-term consequences of chemically-contaminated food. The Oyo State House of Assembly now awaits the Executive’s swift and effective implementation of these resolutions.
