The incorrect application of pesticides and other agrochemical substances have led to a ban on certain of Nigeria’s agricultural products by the European Union (EU).
The EU rapid alert system for food reportedly discovered excessive chemical contaminants.
These included the highly toxic aluminium phosphide, used as a pesticide and fumigant for protecting stored products such as cereal grains. It unfortunately has a fatal dose of between 0.15 and 0.5 grams.
Another example was the organophosphate insecticide dichlorvos. It is effective against mushroom flies, aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, thrips, and whiteflies in greenhouse, outdoor fruit, and vegetable crops. It is also used in the milling and grain-handling industries.
The compound has been commercially available since 1961 and has become controversial because of the fact that its toxicity extends well beyond insects.
These compounds and others were found in food items which included beans, melon seeds, sweet potatoes, cashew kernels, nutmeg snails, soft drinks and sesame seeds.
Sources: allAfrica.com and Wikipedia
EU bans certain Nigerian foods
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