The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned fruit sellers in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State against using calcium carbide to artificially ripen fruits, stressing its harmful effects on human health.
The warning was issued on Friday during a sensitisation exercise held by the agency after reports suggested that some fruits in the area had been ripened with the banned chemical.
Speaking at the event, NAFDAC’s Gombe State Coordinator, Pharmacist James Agada, explained that although fruits provide essential nutrients that boost immunity and prevent diseases, consuming artificially ripened ones could cause severe health problems.
“Calcium carbide poses serious health risks to consumers. Our intervention seeks to protect public health by encouraging fruit sellers to adopt safe practices,” Agada said.
He went on to outline how such fruits can be identified:
“Fruits ripened with calcium carbide may appear yellow outside but remain unripe inside. For example, bananas and plantains with fully yellow peels but dark stems are usually artificially ripened. Naturally ripened fruits often have brown or black spots, while artificially ripened ones peel off easily and may show traces of powdery substances,” he noted.
According to him, consuming such fruits could lead to cancer, kidney and liver failure, heart problems, skin damage, ulcers, frequent thirst, as well as irritation of the mouth and nose.
Agada stressed that NAFDAC’s current approach is education before enforcement.
“We appeal to the conscience of fruit sellers to do the right thing. However, those who insist on violating the rules will face sanctions. Protecting public health remains our priority,” he warned.
He also encouraged traders to report anyone using calcium carbide and to verify product authenticity through NAFDAC’s tools, including the Green Book app, NAPAMS, and Scan2Verify.
In response, the Chairman of the Fruit Sellers Association in Billiri LGA, Alhaji Murtala Mohammed, thanked NAFDAC for the awareness campaign and pledged compliance.
“We are grateful for this sensitisation. I urge our members to avoid using calcium carbide because of its dangers. There are safer alternatives, such as pear and garden egg extracts, that can be used to ripen fruits,” Mohammed assured.
