Nigerian Customs warns against health risks of smuggled frozen foods from Benin Republic

By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA-ONIFADE

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has warned Nigerians against consuming smuggled frozen poultry foods from the Benin Republic.

The Comptroller of the NCS, Ogun State Command Area 1, James Ojo, issued the warning during an interview on Monday, July 15.

He noted that the poultry foods smuggled into the country had been preserved with harmful chemicals, adding that global health organisations had warned against their consumption.

James also said some chemicals used in preserving such foods could lead to organ damage. He warned smugglers to desist from such practice.

“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,” he was quoted as saying.

The Customs Comptroller said one of the chemicals used to preserve such products includes formaldehyde.

According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), “formaldehyde (CH₂O) is a colorless, highly toxic, and flammable gas at room temperature. It is used in the production of fertilizer, paper, plywood, and some resins. It is also used as a food preservative and in household products, such as antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics.”

Exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation to the skin, throat, lungs, and eyes. The CDC also disclosed that repeated exposure to formaldehyde could lead to cancer.