"NAFDAC warns of cancer and kidney risks from carbide-ripened fruits"

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria has warned that consuming fruits ripened with calcium carbide can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure. The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the dangers of artificially ripened fruits, which may exhibit yellow skin but remain unripe inside. She explained that calcium carbide contains impurities such as arsenic and lead particles, which can have detrimental effects on health. Symptoms of consuming such fruits include frequent thirst, skin damage, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and skin ulcers. NAFDAC has initiated a scientific study to address the health hazards associated with the use of calcium carbide for fruit ripening.