The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned fruit dealers and sellers against using calcium carbide to ripen fruits for commercial purposes.

The warning was issued by the NAFDAC Coordinator in Sokoto State, Mr Abdulsalam Lawal, during a public awareness campaign at a fruits market in Sokoto on Thursday.

Lawal urged fruit dealers and sellers to stop the dangerous practice, which he described as highly harmful and posing serious risks to public health.

He cautioned that consuming fruits ripened with calcium carbide could lead to severe health issues, including kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and other life-threatening diseases.

“With Ramadan fasting—a period of increased fruit consumption—using calcium carbide to hasten fruit ripening is particularly hazardous to our health,” Lawal stated.

He explained that calcium carbide is permitted only for industrial uses, such as by welders for melting iron, and that NAFDAC would intensify surveillance to prevent its sale to fruit vendors and ensure proper usage.

Lawal noted that fruits such as mangoes, bananas, pawpaws, watermelons, and others are commonly ripened with calcium carbide in the area.

The coordinator highlighted the health risks linked to artificially ripened fruits and outlined key differences between naturally ripened and carbide-ripened fruits. He emphasized the need to strengthen compliance and promote safe food handling practices throughout Sokoto State.

Bello Danda, Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, advised fellow sellers to adopt hygienic ripening methods at all times.

Danda warned that violators would face penalties and demonstrated safe, commercial-scale ripening techniques for bananas, watermelons, and other fruits that pose no harm to consumers.

He added that the fruits market in Sokoto attracts customers from across Nigeria and neighboring countries.

It was reported that the ongoing awareness exercise, which began on February 16, has seen the NAFDAC team engage marketers at various locations on related food safety issues.