The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Tuesday pledged its commitment to ensuring Nigerians get quality and safe food. The Acting Executive Vice Chairman (FCCPC) Dr Adamu Abdullahi, stated this during a one-day sensitisation programme on the forceful ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat and grains organised for traders, farmers, artisans and food vendors in Bauchi on Tuesday.
Abdullahi who was represented by the Director, of Planning, Research and Statistics, FCCPC, Dr Nkechi Mba, said the sensitisation program was designed to educate farmers, sellers and buyers, on the dangers of forceful harvesting and ripening of food produce.
The commission said, “It is part of our mandate to ensure that consumers are protected against products that are injurious to their health conditions. FCCPC is passionate about ensuring that consumers get quality and safe food products. Consumer health is our concern and When we consume unsafe and poor quality or substandard food products, there are health implications because these adulterated food products become hazardous to the human body”.
Highlighting further, the Ag EVC said forceful ripening of fruits with chemicals like calcium carbide is harmful to the body, adding that when unripe farm produces are harvested before the full period, it is most likely to cause terminal disease.
He said, “We may make a profit from selling these goods but people can die from what you have sold to them. People can have allergic reactions and even organs get damaged”.
Also speaking, Mr Yahaya Kudan, Director of, the Consumer and Business Education Department of FCCPC, lamented the increased incidences of harmful practices in food production and processing. These practices, he said, did not only pose significant health risks but also undermined consumer trust in the food industry.
Reiterating the commission’s unwavering mandate for safe food in circulation, Kudan said, “This program is a testament to our dedication to educating and empowering consumers, farmers, vendors, and all stakeholders involved in the food supply chain. We will learn about the dangers of forceful ripening, the risks of consuming adulterated palm oil, the hazards of contaminated meat, and how to ensure the quality and safety of grains”.
He further pledged the Commission’s support to equip farmers saying, “Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions and advocate for safer food practices in our communities.”