1 week ago
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House of Representatives has agreed to analyse the alleged usage of harmful chemicals including corpses embalment substances, formalin, sodium hydroxide, snipers and kerosene for the preservation of frozen foods successful Nigeria.
This followed the adoption of a question moved by the subordinate representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo state, Hon. Chike Okafor astatine plenary yesterday.
In the motion, Okafor noted the persistent nationalist outcry implicit the alleged usage of unsafe chemicals specified arsenic formalin, sodium hydroxide, snipers, kerosene and carbide arsenic preservatives successful frozen fish, prawns, shrimp, meat, and different nutrient items successful Nigerian markets.
He referenced reports from regulatory bodies, wellness experts, and media investigations, revealing that these chemicals commonly utilized for embalming corpses, concern processes and ripening fruits are present being utilized to prolong the support beingness of perishable foods.
The lawmaker said the chemicals airs superior wellness risks to consumers, including the imaginable for developmental upset (autism) successful children, cancer, organ damage, and different life-threatening wellness conditions for uncountable Nigerians arsenic documented by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Okafor expressed interest that astir frozen products imported into Nigeria are preserved utilizing carcinogenic substances that are agents straight progressive successful causing cancer.
“Some eateries usage definite harmful substances including Dimethylpolysiloxane (a silicon-based polymer utilized successful assorted applications similar lubricants, conditioning agents and de-foamers) to hole chicken.
“Some besides usage Tertiary Butyl Hydroquinone (TBHQ), a chemic preservative truthful deadly, conscionable 5 grams tin termination a quality being,” the lawmaker said.
Okafor expressed interest that the applicable agencies saddled with this work has been alleged of aboveground complicity and sometimes often overlooking the unsafe menace that contempt erstwhile resolutions and warnings, the amerciable signifier persists owed to anemic enforcement, corruption, and deficiency of nationalist awareness.
“Cognisant of Nigeria’s Food Safety Bill (2023) and the mandate of agencies similar NAFDAC, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the Federal Ministry of Health to safeguard nationalist health.
“These agencies person a mandate to modulate and show the information of nutrient products successful Nigeria but successful each of this, the concern has remained ‘water, h2o everyplace but nary h2o to drink’ and the usage of harmful chemicals arsenic preservatives person continued to termination Nigerians connected regular basis,” helium argued.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated its applicable committees to behaviour an investigative proceeding connected the alleged usage of harmful chemic arsenic preservatives of frozen foods and importation of frozen foods preserved with carcinogenic substances and study backmost to the House wrong six weeks.
It called connected the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, NAFDAC, SON and different applicable agencies to look earlier the investigative committee to supply valued accusation connected their effort to curb the unsafe trend.
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