NEWS
Again, NAFDAC Cautions Against Using Sniper For Food Preservation
The dangers of using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items have been highlighted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola.
The Agency expressed concerns about a recent viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.
It stated, “The sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), sold as Sniper® has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets.
“NAFDAC underscores the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences.”
On her part, the Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption.
“The misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects.
“These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure,” she pointed out.
In the same vein, the Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), Dr Rametu Momodu, reiterated that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not approved.
She explained that there are approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label.
These products, she harped, should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.
Dr Momodu further elaborated that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos can cause dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death.
She warned that once used, pesticide residues remain on or in the food, posing significant health risks. Washing the food does not mitigate the risk, as the harmful substance would have already soaked into it.
She emphasised that the Agency cannot recommend washing as a solution, as it gives a false sense of security.
“Instead, she urged grain merchants, market vendors, and farmers to adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs. It should be used as intended, either as a field crop treatment or a fumigant, to ensure food safety”, she said.
Dr Momodu also advised consumers to avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions.
Prof Adeyeye further emphasized alternative methods for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option than dichlorvos.
She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness unless stored in the refrigerator.
In addition to the banning of the 100 ml size bottle, the NAFDAC DG said the agency had implemented several initiatives such as stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs and thorough laboratory testing to ensure pesticide residues do not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption and for exports.
She said, “Routine monitoring of stakeholders is also conducted to ensure compliance.”
Prof Adeyeye reassured of NAFDAC’s commitment to global best practices, including the phase-out of certain pesticides that have been banned in other countries due to proven toxicity.
She also acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals and emphasized the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives.
On misconceptions about banned chemicals being dumped in Nigeria, she clarified that comprehensive lists have been provided to the media to dispel such notions.
International News
Tensions Rise As Hezbollah Launches Rocket Attack On Israel After Israeli Bombardment On Lebanon
Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on northern Israel on Saturday, its first strike following a series of intense Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight.
In response, the Israeli military confirmed new airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in eastern Lebanon, as tensions between the two sides escalate, raising fears of a broader conflict.
In a statement, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting the kibbutz Kabri in northern Israel with a salvo of Fadi-1 rockets, asserting that the attack was a defensive measure against what they termed “barbaric” Israeli actions against Lebanese civilians.
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“Defending Lebanon and its people, and responding to the barbaric attacks on cities and villages,” the group said, reaffirming its commitment to retaliate against Israeli aggression.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that sirens were activated in northern Israel as a response to Hezbollah’s claims, indicating the heightened state of alert in the region.
The IDF also stated that they were currently engaging “terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the area of Beqaa” in eastern Lebanon.
The tensions escalated significantly after the Israeli military executed a series of heavy bombardments on Friday, targeting what it identified as Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut.
The strikes resulted in substantial destruction, leveling several high-rise buildings and reportedly aimed at eliminating key figures within the militant group, including its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least six people were killed and 91 others injured in the Israeli strikes, marking the largest blast to affect the Lebanese capital in the past year.
As rescue teams continue to sift through the rubble of six destroyed buildings, authorities fear the death toll may rise.
Sources close to the situation, including a U.S. official, indicated that Nasrallah was the primary target of the Israeli airstrikes, suggesting a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The attacks have raised concerns that the situation could spiral into a full-fledged war as both sides prepare for further military engagement.
As regional tensions mount, the international community watches closely, hoping for a de-escalation in a conflict that has already inflicted significant casualties and devastation on both sides.
Barr Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel to detained Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) for denying his legal team access to Kanu in custody.
In a statement via X on Friday, Ejimakor alleged that the DSS blocked Friday’s scheduled visit, violating court orders and constitutional rights.
He suggested this move was retaliation for Kanu’s successful request to recuse Justice Binta Nyako from his terrorism trial.
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He said, “Today, in violation of subsisting court orders and the constitution, the DSS blocked the legal team of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from meeting with him at the detention facility.
“It appears that the DSS has cancelled all future visitations to Kanu as a retaliation against Kanu for chasing away Justice Binta Nyako from the case and causing her embarrassment.
“What this means is that the DSS, acting on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria, has unlawfully isolated Kanu from his lawyers, thus making his solitary confinement absolute. I don’t know when next, if ever, it may be possible to see Kanu again.”
The IPOB leader, who is being detained at the custody of the DSS in Abuja, is standing trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over terrorism-related charges.
Kanu had told the trial Judge, Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday that he had lost confidence in her court and demanded she hands off his case.
Justice Nyako granted his request, excused herself from the case, and remitted the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another Judge to handle.
In a move set to revolutionize Africa’s agricultural sector, Nigeria has partnered with Mastercard to empower one million farmers across Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania.
This exciting partnership aims to boost agricultural productivity and yield by providing financial inclusion and digital access to essential services, with support from the African Development Bank.
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Vice President Kashim Shettima sealed the deal with Mastercard executives at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
He emphasized that this initiative has the potential to transform Africa’s food security landscape.
“This partnership is an important milestone in our quest for comprehensive financial inclusion and agricultural empowerment. By leveraging Mastercard’s global expertise, we’re set to create unprecedented opportunities for farmers across Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani had earlier shed light on a groundbreaking partnership that’s set to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
According to him, this innovative collaboration aims to provide digital access to critical financial services for agricultural workers, which is expected to significantly boost productivity and economic growth in the sector ¹.
Dr. Tijani emphasized that the partnership goes beyond just introducing new technologies; it’s about reimagining the entire agricultural value chain.
He disclosed that the ultimate goal is to ensure that every farmer, regardless of their location, has access to modern financial tools and also tackles existing challenges in Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem, making it easier for farmers to access financial services.
Tijani added, “We’re aware of the trust deficits that have hindered the full activation of contactless payments by some acquirers and banks. This partnership includes specific measures to bridge these gaps and ensure widespread adoption.”
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elektriker
June 2, 2024 at 9:45 pm
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