Reps warn food vendors against using embalming chemicals to preserve frozen foods

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives has resolved to analyse the alleged usage of toxic and cancer-causing chemicals arsenic preservatives successful frozen foods sold successful Nigerian markets.

This followed the adoption of a question sponsored by Hon. Deacon Chike Okafor, PhD (APC, Imo), during plenary, titled “Need to Investigate the Alleged Use of Harmful Chemicals arsenic Preservatives for Frozen Foods successful Nigeria.”

Presenting the motion, Hon. Okafor expressed heavy interest implicit increasing nationalist reports that definite substances — including formalin, sodium hydroxide, and carbide — primitively meant for concern oregon embalming purposes, whitethorn beryllium utilized by immoderate vendors to sphere perishable nutrient items specified arsenic fish, meat, prawns, and shrimps.

He cited studies by wellness experts and findings attributed to regulatory agencies and probe institutions, which bespeak that specified chemicals airs superior wellness risks, including cancer, organ damage, and developmental disorders successful children.

Okafor further noted that immoderate imported frozen products are allegedly preserved with unsafe chemic agents linked to wellness complications. He besides cautioned that immoderate eateries reportedly usage compounds specified arsenic Dimethylpolysiloxane and Tertiary Butyl Hydroquinone (TBHQ) — substances which, successful ample quantities, tin beryllium harmful to quality health.

The lawmaker lamented that contempt existing laws similar the Food Safety Bill (2023) and the mandates of agencies specified arsenic the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Federal Ministry of Health, harmful preservation practices proceed owed to anemic enforcement and constricted nationalist awareness.

“Despite earlier alerts, including NAFDAC’s 2019 informing connected the usage of formalin successful food and meat, and consequent world studies showing chemic residues successful frozen foods, the occupation persists,” Okafor said. “We indispensable enactment decisively to support Nigerians from the dangers posed by unsafe nutrient preservation.”

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees connected Nutrition and Food Security, NAFDAC, and Safety Standards to behaviour an investigative proceeding into the alleged usage of harmful chemicals successful frozen foods and study backmost wrong six legislative weeks.

The House besides invited the Federal Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Food Security, arsenic good arsenic NAFDAC, SON, and different applicable agencies to little lawmakers connected the measures taken truthful acold to guarantee nutrient information crossed the country.

Hon. Okafor emphasized that the probe aims to fortify regulatory oversight, enforce compliance with nutrient information standards, and support Nigerians from imaginable wellness risks associated with chemically preserved foods.

The station Reps pass nutrient vendors against utilizing embalming chemicals to sphere frozen foods appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.