National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has urged fruit sellers to refrain from using calcium carbide to ripen fruits for commercial purpose.
NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye made the call in a statement in Abuja, saying that using carbide to ripen fruits is dangerous for human health.
The NAFDAC boss stated that the warning became necessary following recent visit by the agency’s inspectors to fruits and vegetable market in Mubi, Adamawa State.
She noted that the agency would apply severe sanctions on anyone found using carbide for fruit ripening.
Calcium carbide is a toxic and highly dangerous, corrosive chemical used industrially in the production of acetylene gas, which burns and produces light.
