The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the alleged use of killer chemicals for preserving fruits and prolonging the shelf life of perishable foods.

The resolution was sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion by Chike Okafor (APC-Imo) at plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion, Mr Okafor said that the use of harmful chemicals as preservatives in Nigeria posed a clear danger to the health and wellness of millions of our citizens.

According to him, available reports from regulatory bodies, health experts, and media investigations reveal that the chemicals commonly used for embalming corpses and industrial processes were now being used for ripening fruits and to prolong the shelf life of perishable foods.

“These chemicals pose serious health risks to consumers, including the potential for developmental disorder (autism) in children, cancer, organ damage, and other life-threatening health conditions for uncountable Nigerians, as documented by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

“This is not a new alarm. This house is aware of the 2019 alert by NAFDAC on the use of formalin on fish and meat. We recall the 2022 study by the University of Ibadan, which found dangerous levels of pesticide residues in frozen foods. Despite these worrisome past reports, the practice persists. We are now facing what can only be described as the systematic poisoning of our populace.

“There is a dangerous development today: a huge number of young men and women in Nigeria are suffering from liver damage and kidney failure, and there is a noticeable increase in the number of children suffering from autism, and the cause of these is not far-fetched,” he said.

Mr Okafor said that as representatives of the people, the members cannot ignore the warnings any longer, calling for fast actions to protect the Nigerians from this catastrophe.

In his ruling, the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, referred the matter to relevant committees led by the House Committee on Food Security and Nutrition to investigate the allegation.

They mandated the committee to report back within two weeks for further legislative actions.

Addressing journalists after the plenary, Mr Okafor, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Food Security and Nutrition, said that it is a case of emergency.

He said that the committees had started work already, as the case was very alarming, pledging that the committees will go all out to bring in all those culpable. 

(NAN)