The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians to stop storing food items in containers originally used for chemicals that are harmful to health.
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Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye said this on Thursday, September 16, during a sensitisation campaign in Onitsha, Anambra State.
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She explained that containers previously used to store chemicals should not be used to store food items, even when they've been washed thoroughly.
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She added that such containers contain carcinogenic substances, which no amount of washing can remove and would have harmful effects on humans in the long run.
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The DG, who was represented by the Director of Chemical Evaluation and Research Directorate, Mrs. Ngozi Onuora, had led a team of NAFDAC top management officials to the palace of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe.
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Speaking about the dangers of storing food in containers previously used for chemicals, she said: "It is harmful to use kerosene tankers to load groundnut oil, to use potassium bromate to bake bread so as to improve the dough.
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"We also advise market women to desist from using chemicals to quicken the ripening of fruits like plantains and bananas because it is dangerous to health."
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She explained that the three-day programme would help to sensitise youths on the dangers of taking codeine and tramadol, as well as the harmful effect of other dangerous drugs on their health.
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The NAFDAC boss added that the visit was to solicit the monarch’s cooperation in disseminating information on the dangers of drug abuse in the country, stressing that a well-informed society would address the demand side of drug abuse.
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She also called on Nigerians to stop buying medicine from hawkers but patronise approved medicine shops.
