By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised alarm over the rising trend of forced fruit ripening with harmful chemicals and other unsafe food practices, warning that offenders prioritizing profit over public health will face stiff sanctions.
The Commission gave the warning during a one-day sensitization campaign on food quality standards, safety, regulation, and fair business practices held in Kano on Tuesday.
Delivering a keynote on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Bello, the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, described food safety as a collective responsibility and a fundamental human right.
“Food is not merely for sustenance or a commodity; it is a fundamental human right. Access to safe, unadulterated, and nutritious food is a key pillar of public health, economic development, and national security,” she stressed.
Dr. Mba decried the increasing use of toxic chemicals such as calcium carbide for fruit ripening, and the adulteration of food products with substances like bromate, sniper, and formalin, warning that such practices put millions of lives at risk.
She disclosed that the FCCPC, in collaboration with regulatory agencies including NAFDAC, SON, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture, had intensified surveillance, shut down facilities, and prosecuted offenders engaging in hazardous food practices.
The Commission urged farmers, processors, and vendors to uphold ethical standards, noting that the survival of their businesses depends on integrity and compliance. “Every product you put on the shelf affects a family or a community. Any operator who places profit over public safety will face the full wrath of the law,” she warned.
Consumers were also encouraged to remain vigilant and demand accountability. “Unsafe food not only endangers lives but also undermines market confidence, disrupts trade, and damages the reputation of businesses,” Dr. Mba added.
Earlier, the FCCPC Director of Consumer and Business Education, Mr. Yahaya Garba Kudan, said the campaign was aimed at tackling widespread harmful practices such as forced fruit ripening, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat, and unsafe grains.
“Our goal is to equip you with the tools to make informed decisions and advocate for safer food practices in our communities. Together, we can create a safer food environment for everyone,” he said.
The event, attended by representatives of regulatory agencies, consumer groups, civil society organizations, and market associations, featured expert discussions on detecting adulterated foods and reporting unsafe practices.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Mba emphasized that food safety must remain a national priority. “A nation that poisons its people cannot prosper. Together, let us eradicate harmful food practices and foster a culture of accountability, responsibility, and respect for human life,” she declared.