NAFDAC impounds 120 tons of imported chemical-laden ‘Ponmo’ and arrests 7 suspects

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control says it has intercepted 120 tons of imported chemical-laden animal hides and skins popularly known as ‘Ponmo’.

 

NAFDAC released a statement on the 20th of February 2022 saying the large quantities of dangerous ‘Ponmo’ were intercepted at six different locations in Lagos. 

 

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general of NAFDAC said that seven suspects allegedly involved in the act are currently under investigation. She also assured that the samples of the products have been sent to the laboratory for testing to ascertain the products’ quality and unwholesomeness. 

 

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has also advised Nigerians not to patronize importers of hides and skins for consumable animal skins. She said that the hides are pre-treated with industrial chemicals which are not food-grade and are toxic and injurious to human health. 

 

She added that health hazards inherent in the consumption of such animal hides include the risk of liver, kidney, and heart damage, increased risk of aplastic anemia, central nervous system toxicity, and cancer, amongst several others.

“The general public is hereby encouraged to be very vigilant and exercise discretion when purchasing animal hides ‘ponmo and indeed other food items.

“NAFDAC is fully alive to her responsibilities of assuring the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of processed foods offered for sale to the public’’ she said

“This was in response to several complaints received from the public about alleged sale and distribution of imported hides and skins meant for use in leather industries and which had already been processed with industrial chemicals.

These hides and skins are then sold to the unsuspecting public as consumable animal skin products, otherwise called ‘Ponmo.’

Monitoring was also extended to some buyers who patronize the sellers and custodians of the warehouse.”

Prof. Mojisola also said that early investigations showed that some of the hides and skins were imported illegally and sometimes diverted to some merchants who re-process the hides and skins and further sell them as consumable ‘Ponmo’ to the public.