NAFDAC WARNS NIGERIANS AGAINST CONSUMPTION OF APPLE, BLACKCURRANT FROM AUSTRALIA
The National Agency for Food and Drug (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians to stop consuming organic apple and black currant produced in Australia.
Prof. Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, disclosed this to newsmen, saying the product had been certified harmful for human consumption.
“The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has warned against the consumption of Pure Tassie Organic Apple and Blackcurrant Juice originating from Australia.
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“This was due to unacceptable level of patulin (a mycotoxin) which had exceeded the maximum limit in fruit juice,” Adeyeye said.
Speaking on the harmfulness of the substance, Adeyeye said the level of patulin content in the said fruit juice can induce the liver, spleen and damage the kidney.
She said the name of the product is Pure Tassie, an organic apple and blackcurrant juice produced in Australia.
She further added that the side effects of consuming the substance are nausea, gastrointestinal disturbance and vomiting owning to the level of toxicity.
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The NAFDAC head urged healthcare professionals and consumers to report adverse or side effects from the use of the affected product to the nearest NAFDAC office through NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE) for all networks.
“We implore importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to immediately stop the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of the affected fruit juice.
“Also, we call on members of the public who are in possession of the affected fruit juice to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“However, the agency could be reached through pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or via the NAFDAC ADR e-Reporting platform available at www.nafdac.gov.ng if any issue is to be reported,” she added.
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