Kano food poisoning: NAFDAC arrests merchants of toxic chemicals

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested the merchants of deadly chemicals used in food and drinks purportedly to boost taste that murdered three individuals in Kano.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Sunday, announced this in a statement issued by the NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, in Abuja.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye

Top Naija reports that three persons died in Kano in March after consuming flavoured drink, supposedly containing chemical additives.

Adeyeye, therefore, cautioned against adding chemicals or additives to food and drinks to boost taste, emphasising that such practice could result in serious ailment and even death.

The NAFDAC boss declared that the agency would remain determined to guarantee that only safe food and other regulated products were available in the marketplace for consumption and utilisation.

Adeyeye added that the initial result of the agency’s investigation of the victims had been submitted to the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje during her two-day visit to the state to evaluate the incident.

She said, “It was heartwarming that merchants of the deadly chemicals and additives had been apprehended while the further investigation continued.”

As indicated by her, the significance of food cannot be exaggerated and that when harmful foreign elements find their way into foods and water, it becomes toxic rather than being healthy.

Adeyeye further said that food contamination and poisoning could happen through consuming expired food or preparing food with contaminated water and putting prepared food on the shelf for quite a lot of days or months.

She stated, “We are very particular about food additives, about the temperature at which food can be kept, or about the expiration date of food. If all of these are violated, then there can be food poisoning.

“Whether it is food or water, adding chemicals and other substances, either to enhance the food or change its form can be dangerous, especially when we can’t verify the source and content of such additives.

“NAFDAC is now working assiduously in partnership with the Kano State Government with a view to preventing reoccurrence of the March 11 incident.”