The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Lagos residents of contaminated animal, mostly cow, skin popularly known as ‘Ponmo’ are being sold in the state.
The residents were alerted by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, during the announcement of the seizure of a large quantity of the product and seven importers in Lagos.
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Prof Adeyeye warned members of the public, particularly consumers of Ponmo against the activities of unscrupulous businessmen and traders, who are selling industrial animal hides and skin for human consumption.
In a statement issued by the Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola, the agency revealed that the hides were treated with industrial chemicals not fit for food grade and will be injurious to human health.
The consumption of the toxic Ponmo may lead to liver, kidney and heart damage as well as increase in risk of aplastic anaemia, central nervous systemtoxicity and cancer, among others, she stressed.
The agency also disclosed that its investigation and enforcement officials have carried out intelligence gathering in certain locations where the products were allegedly being warehoused and sold.
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