By: Yakubu Jekadafari
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has uncovered the use of harmful chemicals such as detergent and hypochlorite (hypo) in rice processing during an inspection of rice milling centres in Gombe metropolis.
The inspection, carried out by officials of SON’s Gombe State office, was aimed at flushing out substandard products from Nigerian markets and ensuring the safety of food consumed by the public.
Speaking during the exercise, the Deputy State Director of SON in Gombe, Umar Ibrahim, revealed that some rice millers were discovered using detergent and hypo in the course of processing rice.
He described the practice as extremely dangerous to human health, warning that the consumption of rice treated with such chemicals could expose consumers to serious health risks.
According to him, SON had earlier engaged with the leadership of the Rice Millers Association in the state to sensitise members on the dangers associated with the use of such chemicals in food processing.
However, he noted that the message was not adequately passed down to the millers.
Also speaking during the inspection, an official of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mohammed Danladi, urged the public to be aware of the dangers associated with the use of detergent and hypo in food processing.
He warned that consuming food treated with such chemicals could lead to cancer and other life-threatening health conditions.
The inspection team included representatives from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
During the operation, SON sealed one of the rice milling centres found to be involved in the illegal practice.
Efforts to obtain comments from the leadership of the Rice Millers Association during the inspection were unsuccessful.
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