The Ogun State Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a dire warning to the public about the consumption of smuggled frozen poultry products due to severe health risks.
During an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ota, the command’s comptroller, Mr James Ojo, sounded the alarm.
He emphasized that the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have all condemned the consumption of these illicit products, highlighting their dangerous and harmful effects on people’s health.
He stated, “The frozen poultry products smuggled into Nigeria from the Republic of Benin were preserved with chemicals and often lacked proper regulatory oversight, increasing the risk of harmful chemicals being used for preservation.
“Also, they may not meet the nutritional standards required for healthy consumption and poor handling as well as preservation techniques can degrade the nutritional quality of the meat, thus leading to potential deficiencies when consumed regularly.
“The use of unknown or banned chemicals in preserving smuggled poultry can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.”
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The comptroller warned that these dangerous chemicals, including formaldehyde and other harmful preservatives, could inflict severe and long-lasting health problems such as poisoning, cancer, and devastating organ damage.
Ojo fiercely urged smugglers engaged in this wicked trade to stop immediately, declaring that Customs would relentlessly block any banned, illicit goods from entering the country as mandated by the Federal Government.
Source: NAN
