Worried by the lingering spread of harmful chemicals used to forcefully grow, ripen, process and preserve food which are considered hazardous to human health, the Benue State House of Assembly has commenced legislative actions to evolve stiffer penalties to offenders.
The proposed legislation, if developed and enacted, would provide a framework for stronger oversight of chemical use in food production and preservation, as well as punish offenders.
The Legislators said the harmful practice is exposing consumers to poisoning and long-term illnesses.
Consequently, the House has directed the Ministries of Health and Human Services, Agriculture and Food Security to intensify public sensitization and regulatory enforcement, immediately.
The lawmakers also urged the ministries to work together to submit a bill regulating the use of harmful chemicals across the food chain.
The resolution followed consideration of a report by the House Standing Committee on Food Security and Nutrition during plenary in Makurdi, Thursday.
Presenting the report, the committee chairman and member representing Kwande West, Hon. Samuel Matu, raised concerns over practices including the use of calcium carbide and detergents in food processing and fruit ripening, as well as burning tyres to roast animal meat.
According to Matu, improper use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers and other chemical substances could endanger public health and damage the environment through soil degradation and water contamination.
Matu said Benue lacked comprehensive legislation specifically addressing highly hazardous chemicals in the food chain and called for safer farming practices, improved food handling and stronger protection for vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and rural communities.
Contributing to the debate, members representing Kwande West and Makurdi South, Hon. Thomas Dugeri and Hon. Douglas Akya, backed stronger legislation and called for a task-force to tackle the use of harmful chemicals in food preservation.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga, while ruling on the matter commended the committee and directed the Clerk, Dr. Bem Mela, to communicate the resolutions to the relevant ministries and officials for action
