SENATE SUMMONS NAFDAC OVER UNWHOLESOME FRUIT RIPENING PRACTICES.

The Senate has summoned the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to address the use of harmful chemicals by fruit vendors to hasten ripening. 

This followed a motion moved by Senator Anthony Ani who highlighted the health risks associated with chemically-induced ripening, including cancer, kidney damage, and liver failure.

Consequently, the Senate directed NAFDAC to appear before the Committees on Health and Agriculture to outline its interventions and future steps, while charging the Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate the matter and taking urgent action.

The Senate also directed NAFDAC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to conduct public education campaigns on the health risks of artificially ripened fruits, with stricter inspections on imported fruits and a review of existing laws to impose stiffer penalties on violators.