A woman has been arrested at the Madina Market for allegedly selling unapproved chemicals suspected to be used to accelerate the ripening of bananas and plantains.
The arrest was made on Tuesday, August 19, during an operation by a task force from the Madina-La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly, together with personnel from the Madina Police and the Environmental Health Unit.
The operation followed concerns raised by traders about the alleged use of unapproved substances to speed up the ripening of fruits and other farm produce.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Ibrahim Fialla, directed the Environmental Health Unit to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action.
Mr Fialla said the Assembly would intensify monitoring at the market and conduct further searches to identify traders who may be selling or using unauthorised substances.
He said the exercise would also include educating traders on the potential dangers of applying unapproved chemicals to food products.
A trader who initially raised the alarm alleged that her son became ill after eating bananas she suspected had been treated with the substance. The child was subsequently taken for medical attention and discharged.
However, there is currently no confirmed evidence linking the child’s illness to the suspected chemical.
Some traders have called on the Municipal Assembly and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to extend investigations to other fruit markets.
Further investigations and laboratory tests are expected to establish the nature of the substances allegedly being used and whether they pose any risk to consumers.
