Nigeria calls for tighter control of fresh produce — Premium Times Nigeria
In Nigeria, a column for Premium Times Nigeria raised the issue of fresh produce safety and called on the authorities to strengthen oversight. The proposed measures include random laboratory testing of products at major markets, publication of the results, and tracing the origin of unsafe goods.
The orange juice story
The discussion was prompted by recent comments from Nigeria’s former vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, about his wife Dolapo. According to him, after switching from carbonated drinks to daily freshly squeezed orange juice, she began experiencing recurring headaches. A juice sample was sent for laboratory testing, which, Osinbajo said, found it unfit for human consumption.
However, the former vice president did not specify what exactly was found during the testing. The column’s author stressed that the case does not mean that all oranges are unsafe, but it raises a broader question about quality control of products that consumers consider healthy.
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Pesticides and agency powers
The column also mentioned an international study of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning. It estimated the figure for Nigeria at 69% among the West African countries studied, second only to Burkina Faso. At the same time, the researchers cautioned that the data are uneven and poisoning cases often go unreported.
The author noted that some farmers may use chemicals without proper training, protective equipment, or sufficient understanding of the risks. Therefore, the proposals include training farmers on the use of products, dosages, and waiting periods before harvesting.
After Osinbajo’s comments, the head of Nigeria’s NAFDAC agency explained that fresh agricultural products, including oranges, apples, and yams, primarily fall within the responsibility of agricultural authorities. The column also proposed creating a clear channel for consumer complaints, strengthening regulation of pesticide sellers, and gradually phasing out particularly hazardous substances if they cannot be used safely.
