NAFDAC Takes Drastic Decision On Commonly Used Food Preservative

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has banned and emphasised the dangers associated with dichlorvos, a chemical commonly used by traders to safeguard food from spoilage.

The agency, therefore, warned Nigerians about the hazardous practice of using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items.

In a statement on Sunday issued by Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola, the agency expressed concerns over the recent viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.

It noted 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 limited to certified agrochemicals outlets, pointing out that NAFDAC underscores the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences.

The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, according to the statement urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorised chemicals on food meant for human consumption.

She said that the misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences, saying that long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects.

She added that the adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.

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