The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has raised an alarm over the usage of calcium carbide by fruits sellers in the Yan Lemo Market of Kano State metropolis.
The NAFDAC Coordinator in Kano State, Shaba Mohammed, raised the alarm when he paraded some suspects arrested at the market for using calcium carbide on fruits which is capable of causing cancer to the consumers.
The Yan Lemo Market is popular among many residents of the state who visit there to buy their preferred fruits at a cheaper rate.
In getting the fruits, the residents were cautioned to be on the looked out as some of the fruits are being ripened with calcium carbide.
The Coordinator of NAFDAC in the state said seven suspects and their suppliers have been arrested for using the dangerous chemical on fruits.
One of the suspects said they have an approved letter from a federal university that allows the usage of calcium carbide on fruits. A position the agency coordinator disagrees with.
According to NAFDAC, calcium carbide is mostly used on mangoes, bananas, and oranges and it is capable of causing cancer to the skin and liver.
The suspects have been handed over to the police.
