The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday resolved to amend current legislation to impose tougher penalties on those using harmful chemicals in food production. This follows a report from the Senate Joint Committee on Health and Agricultural Services revealing widespread unsafe practices like forced ripening of fruits with raw calcium carbide, cooking meat with paracetamol, preserving grains with Dichlorvos, and washing produce with detergents.
Sen. Ipalibo Banigo, committee chair, highlighted these alarming practices during a presentation calling for urgent legal reforms and stronger regulatory enforcement. Highlighting the public health crisis, data showed over 14,000 cholera cases with 378 deaths and 119 deaths from food-related lassa fever in 2025. The World Health Organization estimates over a million foodborne illness cases yearly in Nigeria, costing the economy more than $3.6 billion.
The Senate directed agencies like the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, FCCPC, and NAQS to launch continuous public sensitisation campaigns and rigorous enforcement. Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured follow-up to ensure agencies act promptly to protect Nigerians from toxic food hazards.
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