OYO GOVERNMENT SEIZES CHEMICALLY RIPENED FRUITS IN MARKET RAID

OYO GOVERNMENT SEIZES CHEMICALLY RIPENED FRUITS IN MARKET RAID

The Oyo State Government has seized a large quantity of chemically ripened fruits during a food safety enforcement operation at a market in Oyo town, as part of efforts to protect residents from unsafe food practices.

The operation was carried out on Friday by officials of the Department of Food, Water and Laboratory Services under the State Ministry of Health, following an anonymous tip-off.

In a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the exercise was part of the government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring food safety across the state.

According to the ministry, about 12 baskets of mangoes that had been artificially ripened with chemicals were confiscated during the raid. The fruits were reportedly prepared for sale to unsuspecting consumers.

Speaking during the enforcement exercise, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, warned residents to be cautious about the sources of the food they consume, stressing that the use of chemicals to preserve or hasten the ripening of food items poses serious health risks.

“The use of chemicals to preserve or enhance food items can be dangerous to human health,” Ajetunmobi cautioned.

She disclosed that the ministry had received increasing reports of sharp practices by some food vendors, including the use of hazardous substances to accelerate fruit ripening.

“The mandate of the Ministry of Health is to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of Oyo State. Based on credible information received, our officers acted swiftly and intercepted these chemically ripened fruits before they reached consumers,” she said.

Ajetunmobi explained that some vendors soak unripe or immature mangoes in chemicals, causing them to appear ripe within a few hours. She warned that although such fruits may not cause immediate harm, prolonged consumption could lead to the accumulation of toxic substances in the body, potentially resulting in cancer and other long-term health complications.

She also educated residents on how to identify chemically treated food items, noting that artificially ripened mangoes often display uneven colouring with green patches. According to her, vegetables treated with chemicals may appear unnaturally green, while chemically preserved meat often does not attract flies.

The commissioner described the seizure as a strong warning to individuals involved in unsafe food practices and urged residents to avoid patronising suspicious food vendors. She also encouraged households to embrace home gardening as a means of ensuring access to safe and healthy food.

In her remarks, the Director of Food, Water and Laboratory Services, Dr. Afusat Akande, confirmed that the seizure followed a report from a concerned member of the public.

She said the ministry would continue to engage food sellers’ associations across the state to strengthen awareness of food safety standards and encourage self-regulation within markets.

Akande added that offenders would be sanctioned in line with existing regulations, while market associations could also be held accountable for violations within their jurisdictions.

She further urged parents and guardians to advise children and wards to be cautious about the food they purchase and consume, especially within and around school environments.