In a move aimed at protecting public health, the Nigerian Senate has initiated steps to criminalize the artificial ripening of fruits using hazardous chemicals. Lawmakers say the practice, which has become widespread among fruit vendors, poses serious health risks and must be curbed with tougher regulations and penalties.
At its recent plenary session, the Senate directed its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters—chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central)—to examine existing laws and propose amendments that would impose stricter punishment on individuals or businesses found engaging in chemical ripening.
The decision followed a motion presented by Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South), titled “Urgent Need to Investigate and Halt the Unwholesome Practice of Chemical Ripening of Fruits in Nigeria.” He highlighted that while fruit ripening is a natural biological process that enhances taste and nutrition, the growing use of substances such as calcium carbide and other toxic agents to accelerate ripening is endangering lives.
According to Senator Ani, these chemicals, though banned or strictly regulated in many countries, continue to circulate freely in Nigerian markets due to lack of enforcement and awareness. He warned that substances like calcium carbide often contain harmful contaminants such as arsenic and lead, which can lead to cancer, organ failure, and other severe health complications.
In response, the Senate summoned the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to appear before its committees on Health and Agriculture. She is expected to explain the agency’s current strategies and future plans to tackle the issue.
The Upper Chamber also directed NAFDAC, alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to intensify public sensitization campaigns on the health hazards associated with chemically ripened fruits.
Furthermore, it urged regulatory bodies to enhance surveillance at fruit markets and ports to prevent the sale and importation of contaminated produce—especially fruits like apples that are sometimes preserved with unsafe substances.
Lawmakers noted that although some fruit-ripening agents such as ethylene are considered safe, their high cost has led vendors in developing countries to resort to cheaper, toxic alternatives. The Senate emphasized that while chemically treated fruits may appear more appealing, they often lack nutritional value, spoil faster, and pose a direct threat to consumers.
The motion was widely supported by Senators, many of whom expressed alarm over the increasing use of harmful ripening methods and the long-term impact on public health.
The Senate’s action marks a critical step toward reforming food safety regulations in Nigeria, with a strong focus on safeguarding consumers and restoring confidence in the country’s agricultural value chain.
