Osinbajo Raises Food Safety Concerns Over Chemicals Used On Farm Produce

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has raised concerns about food safety in Nigeria, recounting how laboratory testing found his wife’s freshly squeezed orange juice “not fit for human consumption”.

Osinbajo shared the experience while speaking at the Open Day for Gardeners’ Seminar in Lagos, where he discussed the need for greater attention to how food is produced, preserved and reaches consumers.

He said his wife, Dolapo, began experiencing frequent headaches after making fresh orange juice part of her daily routine. After checking other possible causes, she sent a batch of the juice for laboratory testing, which, according to Osinbajo, produced the alarming result.

He linked the experience to concerns over pesticides and chemicals sometimes used on fruits and vegetables by farmers and sellers.

Osinbajo specifically mentioned calcium carbide, which he said is sometimes used to speed up the ripening of fruits.

He called for stronger enforcement, greater public awareness and safer practices across the food supply chain, while urging consumers to remain vigilant about what they eat.