Because of the potential health risks, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has advised the public not to consume frozen poultry goods that have been trafficked.
James Ojo, the comptroller for the command, issued the alert during a Monday interview in Ota with media.
He said that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) all reported negative health impacts from consuming frozen poultry items that were smuggled.
According to Mr. Ojo, “the risk of hazardous chemicals being used for preservation increased when frozen poultry products were smuggled into Nigeria from the Republic of Benin. These products were preserved with chemicals and frequently lacked proper regulatory oversight.”
Additionally, they could not be as nutrient-dense as is necessary for a healthy diet, and improper handling and preservation methods can make the meat less nutritious, which increases the risk of deficiencies if ingested frequently.
“Sensitive people may experience allergic reactions when smuggled poultry is preserved with chemicals that are unknown or prohibited.”
Formaldehyde and other preservatives are among the chemicals the comptroller mentioned, and they have the potential to cause both immediate and long-term health problems, such as poisoning, cancer, and organ damage.
Mr. Ojo warned anyone involved in the illicit trade to stop because customs would not back down in their efforts to prevent the entry of products that the federal government has outlawed.
