Concerns have mounted across Nigeria as at least 43 people have reportedly died from suspected food poisoning in various states, raising alarms over potential chemical contamination and poor hygiene in food processing.
Recently, fatal incidents have been reported in Sokoto, Kano, Kogi, Anambra, Nasarawa, and Kwara states.
Many deaths of food poisoning
In Kwara, a tragic incident occurred in Eruda community, Ilorin West Local Government Area, where a 70-year-old woman, her 34-year-old son, and two grandchildren died after consuming a yam flour meal known as amala.
Similarly, in the Asa Dam area of Ilorin, a housewife and her three children under 10 years old died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital after eating a rice meal. The children’s father remains hospitalised.
In Anambra, four children and their mother succumbed to suspected poisoning in Abubor Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, in Sokoto, a family of seven died after consuming a cassava delicacy in Runjin Barmo village. In another case in the same state, five out of seven family members died after mistakenly preparing a soup with a local fertilizer known as Gishirin lalle, confusing it for seasoning.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, linked the Eruda deaths to chemical food poisoning, likely due to under-processed cassava used in making lafun, a type of cassava flour. She pointed out the suboptimal hygiene in the area as a contributing factor.
Hoarding causes of food poisoning – Experts
These incidents have sparked a broader discussion about food safety.
The national vice president of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ajibola Olawale Tajuedeen, attributed the food poisoning cases to hoarding practices, which often involve the use of toxic chemical preservatives.
He called for government intervention to monitor and regulate the storage of food items.
Public health expert Professor Oluwasogo Olalubi emphasised the dangers of consuming improperly processed cassava, which can release cyanide, particularly in lafun.
He highlighted the need for better production methods and hygiene to prevent further tragedies.
Agricultural experts and organisations like the Nigerian Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have also raised concerns about the importation of substandard food items and the overuse of chemicals in food production, urging stricter regulations and better public awareness.
Avoid expired products – NMA
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) President, Prof. Bala Audu, advised the public to avoid expired foods and ensure proper cooking and food storage practices to prevent further cases of food poisoning.
He also advised members of the public to ensure foods are well cooked before consuming them.
While saying that methods of food preservation and storage could also predispose people to food poisoning and deaths, he said ensuring good hygiene and food safety measures could also help protect against the incidents.
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