The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reiterated its warning against the use of hazardous chemicals to preserve food items, specifically banning the use of dichlorvos, commonly sold as Sniper®, for this purpose.
In response to a viral video showing the misuse of such chemicals on food items like beans and crayfish, NAFDAC highlighted the severe health risks associated with dichlorvos, cancer, dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death.
The agency emphasized that since 2019, the sale of small volumes of dichlorvos has been banned, and larger volumes are restricted to certified outlets.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, urged traders to cease using unauthorized chemicals on food, citing long-term health consequences.
Adeyeye further emphasized alternative methods for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option than dichlorvos.
She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness unless stored in the refrigerator.
Leave a comment
