The Lagos state government has confiscated a large amount of poisonous cow-skin and arrested three persons in connection with the sale of toxic cow-skin, popularly known as ‘Ponmo’ in Ojo and Iba local government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) of the state.
This was disclosed by the state commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris yesterday.
According to him, the three persons involved have been charged to court while samples of the confiscated ‘Ponmo’ had been sent to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) laboratory for suitability test analysis for human consumption.
Idris while explaining what brought about the action, stated that the attention of the state government was drawn to the activities of traders who deal in the sales of the poisonous cow-skin at odd hours in different locations in Ojo and Iba.
“Preliminary investigations and suspects tracing, revealed that the traders were very active in the early hours between the hours 4.00am and 6.00am at various locations such as Volkswagen bus stop, Iyana Iba, Afolabi Ege Markets, all within Ojo and Iba areas in the state.
“Furthermore, a company said to be located at Ijedodo area of Iba LCDA was indicted as source of supply of the ‘toxic Ponmo’ and has subsequently been put under surveillance”, Idris said.
The commissioner, however, called on the public to be vigilant and report any suspected activities and sales of unwholesome foods and food products to environmental health officer in their nearest local government or to the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture.
He also advised the public against purchase and consumption of foods which sources are doubtful or perceived to be hazardous to human health and wellbeing.
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