GOOD MORNING NIGERIA BAN ON FOOD RIPENING CHEMICALS 12 NOVEMBER 2025
Abuja, Nigeria – 12 November 2025
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a renewed warning against the use of harmful chemicals such as calcium carbide to artificially ripen fruits in Nigeria. This announcement was discussed extensively on today’s episode of Good Morning Nigeria, where experts and stakeholders examined the growing concern over food safety and public health.
In a joint effort to safeguard consumers, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has also cautioned vendors and consumers against the purchase and sale of chemically ripened fruits. The commission emphasized that fruits ripened with substances like calcium carbide pose serious health risks and violate existing food safety regulations. Both NAFDAC and FCCPC confirmed that collaborative enforcement operations are underway to identify and sanction offenders across markets nationwide.
Health Dangers of Chemical Ripening
Calcium carbide, the chemical commonly used for artificial fruit ripening, contains dangerous impurities such as arsenic, lead, and phosphorus. Medical experts warn that exposure to these substances can lead to cancer, kidney and liver failure, and neurological damage. In addition to these risks, artificially ripened fruits often suffer nutritional degradation, with lower vitamin content and altered taste. The process also masks immaturity and poor storage, misleading consumers about the freshness and quality of their food.
Impact on Consumer Trust and Food Exports
Analysts on the show highlighted that this illegal practice undermines consumer confidence and compromises Nigeria’s food safety standards, affecting both domestic and export markets. Nigeria’s efforts to build a robust agricultural export system are at risk if food safety violations persist unchecked.
Government and Legislative Action
In response, the Nigerian Senate is taking decisive steps. The Senate Committees on Health and Agriculture are reportedly working on legislative amendments to criminalize the artificial ripening of fruits using harmful chemicals. Proposed measures include stiffer penalties for offenders and revisions to the Criminal Code to explicitly include food adulteration through chemical ripening.
Market Surveillance and Public Sensitization
Ongoing market surveillance by NAFDAC, FCCPC, and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) aims to detect and penalize individuals or businesses involved in this harmful practice. The agencies have also launched public sensitization campaigns targeting farmers, vendors, consumers, and all stakeholders across the food value chain, emphasizing the importance of natural and safe food ripening methods.
These critical issues and more were analyzed on Good Morning Nigeria’s 12 November 2025 broadcast, featuring insights from regulatory officials, health professionals, and agricultural experts.
