There has been public out-cry over the use of embalmment chemical by butchers and retailers to preserve meat in virtually all markets in Nigeria. Nowadays flies do not perch on exposed meat in the market due to the application of the chemical.
The embalmment chemical is applied on corpses in mortuaries to prevent them from decomposing.
- ‘Buhari’s handling of insecurity‘ll boost oil and gas’
- Senate queries Budget Office over ‘excess payment’ of N28.8bn to MDAs
Unfortunately, the chemical has found a new use, by meat and fish dealers, to drive away flies and preserve unsold meat and fish.
NAFDAC, in a recent radio awareness to the public, confirmed the use of the poisonous chemical but fell short of taking practical measures to discourage its use.
The NAFDAC should go all out to stop the evil practice by confiscating and destroying such contaminated food poisonous to humanity.
I am, therefore, appealing to NAFDAC to borrow a leaf from the former DG, whose actions against bromide bread and fake drugs, remain foever fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
Sitting down in the office and dishing out jingles cannot stop the practice.
The damage already done could be enormous.
Ogwuche Matthias lives at New Nyanya, Nasarawa State.
