The Oyo State Government has seized about 12 baskets of chemically ripened mangoes during a food safety enforcement raid at a market in Oyo town.
The operation was carried out on Friday by officials from the Department of Food, Water and Laboratory Services of the State Ministry of Health, following an anonymous tip-off.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, warned residents about the serious health risks posed by artificially ripened fruits. She explained that some vendors soak unripe mangoes in chemicals to make them appear ripe within hours.
“The use of chemicals to preserve or enhance food items poses serious health risks,” Ajetunmobi cautioned. “While such fruits may not cause immediate harm, prolonged consumption could lead to chemical build-up in the body, which may result in cancer and other long-term health complications.”
The commissioner stated that the ministry has received increasing reports of sharp practices among food vendors, including the use of hazardous substances to hasten ripening.
She advised the public on how to identify chemically treated foods: artificially ripened mangoes often have uneven colouring with green patches; vegetables may appear unnaturally green; and chemically preserved meats typically do not attract flies.
The Director of Food, Water and Laboratory Services, Dr. Afusat Akande, confirmed that the seizure followed a report from a concerned citizen. She said the ministry will continue to engage with food sellers’ associations on safety standards and warned that offenders would be sanctioned.
Akande also urged parents to caution their children about the food they purchase, especially within school environments, and encouraged residents to consider home gardening as a way to ensure access to safe produce.
