Health professionals in Nigeria are warning about the dangers of selling rat poison and other hazardous substances alongside food items in markets and retail stores.
This practice poses significant health risks to consumers, especially children, who may accidentally ingest these toxic substances, leading to severe poisoning and even death.
Physicians are urging regulatory bodies to enforce stricter guidelines to separate toxic products from food items and raise consumer awareness. Public health campaigns can also educate sellers and shoppers about the dangers.
Dr. Okechukwu Echendu, a public health physician, emphasizes maintaining a safe shopping environment is vital to healthy living.
He urges traders to prioritize customer well-being by re-evaluating sales practices and product placements, as health risks outweigh potential benefits.
He said, “Selling rat poison alongside edible products poses a danger to people’s safety. These two items being sold in the same environment is not good enough. Accidents might happen and these can lead to severe health consequences, including death.
“This is a dangerous practice which raises urgent concerns. Regulatory bodies must take immediate action to address this issue. Stricter guidelines should be implemented to ensure that harmful substances, such as rat poison, are sold in clearly designated areas away from food products.”
Regular inspections and enforcement can significantly reduce the likelihood of dangerous practices occurring in stores, streets, and markets, Dr. Okechukwu emphasized.
Public health campaigns should educate consumers about the risks associated with exposure to toxic substances and the importance of safe shopping environments.
“By prioritizing consumer safety and implementing necessary regulations, we can safeguard public health and prevent tragic accidents resulting from the irresponsible sale of dangerous products. Regulatory bodies must act decisively to protect our communities.”
A consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at the Federal Medical Centre, Epe, Lagos, Dr. Cynthia Okafor, highlighted the immediate risks of such practices. “One of the most immediate risks is accidental poisoning, particularly for children and pets, who may unknowingly ingest these toxic substances.”
She noted that ingestion of rat poison can lead to severe health complications, including internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death.
“These tragic incidents not only affect the victims but also place a heavy emotional and financial burden on families and the healthcare system.”
Okafor said, “Beyond individual cases of poisoning, the presence of rat poison in food-selling environments can erode public trust in retailers and food safety.
“Consumers may become hesitant to purchase food items in particular areas where this is practiced, fearing contamination or inadequate safety standards.
“Regulatory agencies may also impose stricter guidelines and penalties for businesses that fail to comply with safety standards.
“In all, the consequences of selling rat poison alongside food are severe, and this practice highlights the urgent need for regulatory oversight and responsible retail practices to protect public health.”
Soya Akintola, Resident Media Consultant for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, advocates for a clear distinction between edible products and harmful chemicals like rat poison.
He believes some individuals engage in this harmful practice due to ignorance.
“It makes no sense to have rat poison and other hazardous substances alongside food items in markets or anywhere,” Akintola emphasized. “This reckless practice can lead to food poisoning, posing serious health risks to consumers.”
“These are the things we are educating the masses about because all these things are done out of ignorance. It is dangerous to allow this.
“This is why we send out people on a regular basis to monitor what is happening and ensure that these harmful substances do not exist where they are not meant to. Somebody might mistakenly ingest food contaminated with it. They are not meant to be found in the same space”, he noted.
