The Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Nicholas Namessan Oliver, has cautioned residents against consuming fruits artificially ripened with harmful chemicals, describing sellers of such produce as “merchants of death.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner said the Ministry has discovered widespread use of calcium carbide to ripen fruits like bananas, oranges, mangoes, and avocados in local markets.
He explained that calcium carbide contains toxic impurities such as arsenic, lead, and phosphorus, which pose serious health risks. Fruits ripened with the chemical may lose natural nutrients and, if consumed, could expose people to cancer, and life-threatening conditions affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys.
“Chemically ripened fruits often deteriorate in colour, taste, and aroma, making them inferior to naturally ripened produce. Consumers should carefully inspect fruits before purchase to avoid severe illness or even premature death,” he warned.
Prof. Oliver urged continued public awareness campaigns to curb the sale of contaminated fruits and emphasized that anyone caught engaging in the practice in Taraba State would face legal consequences.
The Ministry called on residents to report suspicious sellers and support efforts to ensure safe and healthy produce in the state’s markets.
