The Nigerian federal government has issued a warning regarding the widespread use of harmful chemicals in food processing and preservation. According to Punch and AllAfrica, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Dr Kingsley Udeh identified specific practices that threaten public health, including the use of calcium carbide to ripen fruits and paracetamol to soften meat. He also noted the application of detergents during cassava processing and the mixing of palm oil with banned dyes like Sudan IV.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2026 World Science Day for Peace and Development, Udeh described these practices as serious national concerns. He stated that unsafe food handling and fraud expose consumers to unhygienic processing methods and improper preservation. The minister cited World Health Organisation figures indicating that approximately 866 million people globally suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, resulting in about 1.52 million deaths. For Nigeria, he referenced local health authority estimates of 50 million foodborne illnesses and over 53,000 related deaths each year.
To address these challenges, the government plans to deploy trained food science experts, especially in local government offices. Udeh announced that the federal administration would help create a formal professional group for these practitioners to ensure trained experts handle food inspection and quality control. He noted that despite Nigeria producing approximately 3,000 such graduates annually from about 70 universities, their expertise is not fully used due to the lack of a defined professional structure.
Veronica Ezeh, head of the Nigerian food science regulatory body, supported the initiative. According to Punch, she explained that some experts working for local councils lack specific regulatory duties because their job descriptions are not fully defined. She argued that placing trained officers in markets would help catch unsafe practices before items reach buyers. The council, created by a 2019 law, oversees the profession and has produced a manual for food operators.
Udeh also highlighted the promotion of local technologies, such as better fish-smoking kilns and solar dryers, to enhance food safety. He identified the Federal Institute of Industrial Research in Oshodi as a key agency making this equipment. Additionally, the minister revealed intentions to hold a high-level national food meeting in the coming weeks to improve coordination among government agencies and industry players.