Owing to the ugly practice by some food vendors who use enhancers, particularly paracetamol tablets, in food preparation, The Consumers protection council under the leadership of Hon. Mrs Obioma Okafor has set to monitor food sellers around the state .
The use of paracetamol as meat tenderizer by restaurant operators and food vendors is a dangerous practice, which can not be allowed in the society.
Recall that some time last year, the DG, invited all the restaurant owners and food vendors for a one day sensitization seminar, where she sounded a note of warning to them against the use of paracetamol as tenderizer in cooking meat and beans as this can cause kidney and liver failure. it was gathered that, Despite the earlier warning during the seminar, reports reaching CPC indicate that some bad eggs amongst the food sellers are still using paracetamol to reduce cooking time while boiling meat, just as some people apply detergent on cassava used in the preparation of Fufu. All these practices poses great danger human health.
Moving forward, Imo State consumer protection council will henceforth intensify surveillance and public enlightenment as proactive measure to tackle this unwholesome practice. A special taskforce will be created and part of their mandate is to ensure that food vendors and caterers operate inline with standards and also to create the needed awareness on the dangers associated with food enhancer.
Meanwhile, this is a fight for everyone, not just CPC alone, food enhancers are hazardous to our health, paracetamol on its own is a very bad friend of the liver as high doses of it can damage the liver”. For those who are into this deadly acts, I warn you for the last time to desist from this or be ready to face the consequences.
Finally,She urge all the citizens of Imo State to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of such activities to CPC Imo State.
