NAFDAC Cautions Fruit Sellers Over Use of Calcium Carbide for Ripening

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned fruit dealers and vendors against the use of calcium carbide to artificially ripen fruits for commercial sale.
The warning was delivered by the NAFDAC Coordinator in Sokoto State, Mr. Abdulsalam Lawal, during a public sensitisation campaign held at a fruit market in Sokoto on Thursday.

Lawal called on traders to discontinue the harmful practice, describing it as dangerous and a serious threat to public health.
He warned that eating fruits ripened with calcium carbide could result in grave health complications, including kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and other life-threatening conditions.
“With the Ramadan fasting period, when fruit consumption increases significantly, the use of calcium carbide to accelerate ripening poses heightened health risks,” Lawal said.
He clarified that calcium carbide is authorised strictly for industrial applications, such as use by welders in melting iron, adding that NAFDAC would intensify monitoring efforts to prevent the chemical from being sold to fruit vendors and to ensure it is used appropriately.
Lawal observed that fruits commonly subjected to carbide ripening in the area include mangoes, bananas, pawpaws, watermelons, among others.
He further outlined the dangers associated with artificially ripened fruits and explained the distinguishing features between naturally ripened produce and those treated with carbide. He stressed the importance of enforcing compliance and encouraging safe food handling practices across Sokoto State.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, Bello Danda, urged fellow traders to always adopt hygienic and safe ripening methods.
Danda warned that defaulters would be sanctioned and went on to demonstrate safe, commercial-scale ripening techniques for bananas, watermelons, and other fruits that are harmless to consumers.
He noted that the Sokoto fruits market draws buyers from different parts of Nigeria as well as neighbouring countries.
It was gathered that the ongoing awareness campaign, which commenced on February 16, has involved NAFDAC officials engaging traders at various locations on food safety concerns.