Former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has highlighted serious food safety risks associated with the use of dangerous chemicals in the cultivation, ripening, and preservation of fruits and vegetables, citing a personal experience involving his wife.
Speaking at the Open Day for Gardeners’ Seminar themed “Leaving the Earth Better Than We Found It,” held in Lagos on August 28, Osinbajo recounted how his wife, Dolapo, began experiencing frequent headaches after incorporating freshly squeezed orange juice into her daily routine as a healthier alternative to carbonated drinks.
After ruling out other potential causes, a laboratory analysis of a batch of the juice returned results indicating it was “not fit for human consumption.”
Osinbajo attributed the findings to the widespread use of hazardous pesticides by farmers and chemicals such as calcium carbide by sellers to artificially ripen or preserve produce.
He called for stronger regulatory enforcement, increased public awareness, and safer practices throughout the food supply chain to protect consumers.