The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning against the use of calcium carbide for artificially ripening fruits, citing significant health risks. Calcium carbide, when used to ripen fruits, can lead to severe health issues, including kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and even terminal diseases.

Calcium carbide contains impurities such as arsenic, lead particles, and phosphorus, which pose serious health hazards. Consumption of fruits treated with this chemical may result in symptoms like frequent thirst, mouth and nose irritation, weakness, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and skin ulcers. Higher exposure can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and the acetylene gas produced by calcium carbide affects the neurological system, reducing oxygen supply to the brain and potentially leading to prolonged hypoxia.

NAFDAC emphasizes the importance of adopting natural methods for ripening mature fruits, such as using paper bags, flour, rice, or decomposing apple and banana peels. The agency has also stated its intent to prosecute individuals found using calcium carbide for fruit ripening.

Consumers are advised to be cautious and avoid purchasing fruits that may have been artificially ripened with calcium carbide to protect their health.