NAFDAC warns against storing foods in chemical containers
Storing foods especially grains and legumes in chemical or paint containers is a normal in Nigeria, and I will like to share my experience. Last year, I moved to a new house and decided to paint it. After doing the paintings, I took two of the paint containers to store rice and beans.
I soaked the containers with soap and water for 2 days. Washed them and it came out clean, and dried. After two days, I transferred the foods in the containers. I noticed every time I open the containers to fetch food, there is this strong and choking smell coming out of it.
I ignored and said to myself it will pass, until one day when I passed out while opening the containers. Luckily for me, I had a visitor who hard something fall, came to the kitchen and saw me lying down.
Did I go to the hospital? No. But ever since that experience, I dumped the food in the containers including the containers.
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.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye said this on Thursday, September 16, during a sensitisation campaign in Onitsha, Anambra State.
She explained that containers previously used to store chemicals should not be used to store food items, even when they've been washed thoroughly.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
She also called on Nigerians to stop buying medicine from hawkers but patronise approved medicine shops.