Nigerians urged to question food safety as healthy choices face hidden risks

Former VP Osinbajo linked his wife Dolapo's recurring headaches to laboratory-tested orange juice deemed unfit for consumption, sparking broader concerns about whether 'healthy' food choices are actually safe. Nigerians pursuing wellness through fruits like agbalumo and vegetables face risks from pesticide contamination, with an international study showing Nigeria at 69% acute pesticide poisoning risk in Western Africa—second only to Burkina Faso. The article highlights regulatory confusion: NAFDAC states fresh produce falls under agricultural authorities, leaving consumers unsure who to contact about suspicious food.

This matters because everyday healthy habits—buying plantain from street hawkers or drinking fresh juice—could inadvertently expose consumers to harmful substances. Farmers may lack training on chemical use, and hazardous pesticides remain in circulation despite poisoning risks. The author notes that while blaming farmers or assuming evil intent oversimplifies the issue, systemic gaps in testing, regulation, and reporting channels create real dangers for consumers trying to eat better. Without clear government action, the trust underpinning Nigeria's health and wellness boom is undermined.

Solutions proposed include random market testing with published results, farmer training on chemical application, phasing out highly hazardous pesticides where risks can't be managed, and creating simple consumer reporting channels. The author stresses that prevention matters—citing US import controls as an example—but Nigeria must develop its own practical points of control rather than copying foreign models. Ultimately, addressing the entire food supply chain is needed to ensure healthy choices don't become health risks.

With unclear reporting channels and regulatory gaps, what practical steps would you take if you suspected contaminated produce in your market, and how should government prioritize fixing this system?

SOURCE: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/910646-food-as-poison-by-lande-omo-oba.html