A disturbing report filtered into the information highway recently. Ostensibly driven by greed and criminal intent, some fresh fish sellers busted in Nigerian markets were discovered to be involved in shady deals. Fish, a famous delicacy on people’s meal tables, is the victim. The strategy of these nefarious persons is to brush industrial red dye on decaying fish, with the aim of making them look fresh to buyers. Health experts, reacting to this practice, say that this noxious act poses serious health risks to hapless Nigerians.

Further investigations revealed that this practice, notorious among small-scale traders, involves the application of chemical dyes to the dull, grayish gills of day-old or bad fish in order to create the impression of vibrant, crimson gills — the original look of fresh fish from the rivers. The natural fact is that fish gills transform from bright red to dark brown or pale gray upon death because oxygen has exited the blood. The pattern becoming notorious among vendors is this: in a bid to exploit consumers’ appetite for fish and the age-old belief that “red gills equal fresh fish,” they engage in painting fish to avoid losses and recoup investments in their stalls. When asked for their take on this frightening trend, health practitioners affirmed that it is objectionable. They also warned that the chemicals applied to the fish are industrial-grade dyes which contain heavy metals and toxic compounds that are hazardous to human health. Said Dr. Hassan Abdullahi, a health practitioner: “What we are witnessing is not just economic fraud; it is a calculated threat to human life. These sellers are prioritising profit over safety. Consuming fish tainted with these chemicals can lead to acute gastrointestinal damage, severe food poisoning, and potentially permanent kidney and liver damage.”

Traders and consumers blamed these criminal practices on Nigeria’s worsening economic pressures. The first catalyst they identified is the current regime of unfavourable electricity tariffs. According to them, the prohibitive cost of energy has made ice production and refrigeration difficult and exorbitant for vendors trying to preserve unsold fish stock overnight. Since discarding decaying fish would result in tremendous loss, some sellers resort to applying chemical substances as a cover-up in order to still sell them at premium prices. While health authorities have not yet come up with regulatory action on this deleterious practice, experts have unanimously called for increased surveillance and alertness by buyers. They have also canvassed affordable cold-storage solutions.

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This danger threatening the health of Nigerians is easily attributable to weak or haphazard enforcement of safety standards in Nigeria. Gone are the days when government took food safety seriously and handed out severe punishment for violations. The absence of such enforcement has emboldened criminally minded vendors to prioritise their pockets and de-emphasize the health of their compatriots. This has ensured that Nigerians literally buy and eat their way into death and disease. Before now, the practice of applying bleach to the cassava used in making fufu, a staple on Nigerians’ tables, became rife and troubling. So also was the practice of applying chemicals to tenderise meat for sale in restaurants.

We urge more proactive action by governments at the federal, state and local levels against these frighteningly evil acts. They must rise up and save Nigerians from consuming foods that will result in a spike in diseases and deaths. Painting fish with chemicals is a terrible thing to do and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. These acts demonstrate the desperately wicked nature of humanity and the prioritisation of the belly above the welfare of fellow citizens. Eating unsafe food will lead to health challenges and complicate the health of those already battling different ailments. Given the current situation, we ask that every Nigerian to be their own government and, as the traditional saying goes, be the crab that uses its own eyes to guard its head. It has become imperative to thoroughly scan the commodities purchased in markets. Nigerians must avoid consuming foods that will lead to health challenges or even the grave.