FG Warns Nigeria: Paracetamol Meat, Food Adulteration Endanger Lives

• The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a warning about widespread food adulteration practices, including using calcium carbide for fruit ripening and paracetamol to soften meat.
• Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, highlighted these issues, along with the use of detergents in cassava processing and Sudan IV in palm oil, as serious national concerns.
• Annually, Nigeria experiences an estimated 50 million foodborne illnesses and over 53,000 related deaths, underscoring the severity of the problem.
• The government plans to strengthen food safety monitoring by deploying qualified food science and technology professionals and establishing a professional cadre for them in public service.
• This initiative aims to better utilize the approximately 3,000 food science and technology graduates Nigeria produces each year, whose expertise is currently underutilized.

The Federal Government has issued a stark warning regarding the widespread use of dangerous chemicals in food products across Nigerian markets, highlighting practices that pose significant health risks to consumers.

The Federal Government has issued a stark warning regarding the widespread use of dangerous chemicals in food products across Nigerian markets, highlighting practices that pose significant health risks to consumers. This Nigeria food adulteration warning specifically targets the use of calcium carbide for fruit ripening, the application of paracetamol to soften meat, and the incorporation of detergents during cassava processing. These methods, alongside the treatment of beans and grains with unauthorized chemicals and the adulteration of palm oil with prohibited colorants such as Sudan IV, have become prevalent, according to official statements.

Dr. Kingsley Udeh, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, conveyed these serious concerns during an event in Abuja. Speaking at the 2026 World Science Day for Peace and Development, themed "Common Ground Through Science Diplomacy," Minister Udeh emphasized that such unsafe food handling, fraud, and adulteration constitute critical national issues. The minister's remarks underscore the government's alarm over these practices, which expose the populace to harmful substances, unhygienic preparation, and inadequate preservation techniques. The FG warns paracetamol meat Nigeria and other similar practices are endangering lives and eroding public trust in the food supply.

The implications of these adulteration practices extend far beyond individual incidents, presenting a significant public health and economic burden. Minister Udeh cited alarming statistics, indicating that approximately 866 million people globally suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, leading to about 1.52 million deaths each year, including 143,000 children under the age of five. The global economic cost attributed to foodborne illnesses is estimated at a staggering $310 billion, with unsafe food being a causative factor for over 200 different diseases.

Domestically, the situation in Nigeria is equally concerning. Estimates from Nigerian health authorities reveal that the nation records approximately 50 million foodborne illnesses and more than 53,000 related deaths annually. These figures paint a grim picture, demonstrating how widespread food fraud and adulteration not only endanger lives but also undermine consumer confidence and compromise the nation's overall food security. The minister stressed that food is meant to sustain life, not imperil it, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these pervasive issues.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Federal Government has outlined plans to bolster Nigerian food safety enforcement and oversight. A key initiative involves strengthening food safety monitoring through the strategic deployment of qualified food science and technology professionals, particularly at the local government level. This move aims to ensure that trained experts are directly involved in critical areas such as food inspection, processing, and quality control, thereby enhancing the integrity of the food supply chain.

A significant challenge identified by Minister Udeh is the underutilization of Nigeria's substantial pool of food science and technology professionals. Despite approximately 3,000 such professionals graduating annually from around 70 tertiary institutions, their expertise is not adequately leveraged, especially within the public service, due to the absence of an established professional cadre. The government plans to facilitate the creation of this professional cadre, linking it to personnel audits and skills-gap analysis, to ensure that these vital skills are effectively integrated into the national food safety framework. This commitment reflects a concerted effort to move towards a more secure and trustworthy food environment for all Nigerians.

Compliance officers in the Nigerian food and beverage sector should anticipate heightened regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions regarding food adulteration and unsafe handling practices. Legal counsel should advise clients to review their supply chain and production processes to ensure compliance with food safety standards, mitigating risks associated with potential investigations or new regulations.

Source: Original reporting via Healthwise