Concerns over unbranded food seasonings in northern markets
There is a raging concern in most markets in northern Nigeria following a huge influx of unbranded monosodium glutamate (MSG) Daily Trust can report. Findings showed that unbranded MSGs are packed and displayed in transparent nylon bags for consumers to buy. The consumption of this unbranded MSG is said to have grown significantly among northerners, […]
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There is a raging concern in most markets in northern Nigeria following a huge influx of unbranded monosodium glutamate (MSG) Daily Trust can report.
Findings showed that unbranded MSGs are packed and displayed in transparent nylon bags for consumers to buy.
The consumption of this unbranded MSG is said to have grown significantly among northerners, which is posing a serious health risk.
Despite increasing warnings from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), consumers have been patronizing the unbranded and rewrapped MSG.
It was learnt that the unbranded MSG is sold in the open, from uncovered unbranded sacks and in measurements to unsuspecting buyers who have chosen quantity over quality.
Unlike other brands like Ajinomoto, Vedan, which are packed in sachets, sold in healthy sizes and approved by NAFDAC, these unbranded raw ones are the opposite.
Worse still, stakeholders say their manufacturers cannot be traced to check for their authenticity.
Findings at the Singer Market and Abubakar Rimi Market in Kano showed that a 25kg bag sells for N45,000, allowing retailers to sell in small units, including measuring in what locals call ‘mudu’.
At the central markets in Kaduna and Maiduguri, and Sabon Gari market in Sokoto, the demand is very high and the price of a 25kg bag ranges between N46,000 and N50,000. In a 25kg bag, there are as many as 10 to 15 ‘mudu’.
The customers, not minding the health risks, prefer this unapproved product because of the number of ‘mudu’ and the flexibility to adulterate the product by mixing it with salt to increase its bulk and make more profit.
It would be recalled that NAFDAC recently sealed a warehouse in Sokoto State after discovering a large quantity of unregistered food products including 5,347 bags of MSG.
The warehouse was reportedly found to be in violation of NAFDAC’s regulations.
According to NAFDAC, the company had imported unbranded MSG under a permit intended for processing but was found selling the product directly as a finished product, which is prohibited and dangerous to human health.
A health expert in Gombe, Dr Abdullahi Guruji, said consumers should be wary of what they consume to avoid any health complications.
Guruji said it was incumbent on consumers not to sacrifice their health on the altar of cheap pricing of food products.
According to him, the regulator had made it abundantly clear for consumers to look out for branded MSG before embarking on a purchase, wondering why they chose to ignore it at the expense of their lives.
“We should not compromise our health because of taste buds. We acknowledge the fact that times are tough but we need to give due consideration to our health in our decision making as far as food consumption is concerned,” he said.
Another food enthusiast who does not want his name in print believed that consumers have big roles to play in safeguarding their health.
According to him, the responsibility to protect one’s health should not be limited to NAFDAC, SON and other regulatory bodies alone. He urged every Nigerian to look out for themselves and their fellow citizens to avert this looming health hazard.
He also called on food vendors to play active roles in this regard, to be conscious of the health of their customers by using standard branded products in their cooking.
The health expert then tasked NAFDAC to step up action in the area of enforcement, saying that doing so will help curb the activities of unscrupulous Nigerians who are unrelenting in their effort to harm fellow Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Youth Protection and Peaceful Forum has called for an immediate intervention on the open sale of the 25kg Monosodium Glutamate packages.
This was contained in a communiqué signed by the forum’s national president, Engr. Muhd Haruna Gaza, at the end of a 3-day call-to-action meeting held in Kano.
According to the communique, the forum expressed deep concern over the open sale of 25kg monosodium glutamate in the open market, a practice the forum deemed unwholesome and detrimental to public health.
The forum urges prompt intervention and attention from relevant regulatory agencies, for proper monitoring and guidance on the use of the additives especially during the heat period being experienced in the North.
“We are urging agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Consumer Protection Council and the State Consumer Protection Councils to take effective measures that will bring an end to the menace,” it said.
According to the forum, the sale of such large quantities of 25kg monosodium glutamate in an uncontrolled environment poses significant health risks to consumers.
Daily Trust learnt that the FCCPC late last year commissioned an investigation into the issue which is still ongoing.
A source who spoke with our correspondent yesterday said, “Yes we are doing something on this to ascertain where this is coming from and those who are behind it. You still do these things mostly in Sabo market and we are on top of it,” he said.
NAFDAC is yet to respond to enquiry by Daily Trust as of press time. A media consultant with the agency said he would get back to our correspondent.