Sniper-treated beans: Fear grips Nigerians as CPC issues warning

THERE is palpable fear in the country owing to the discovery of sniper-treated beans, a situation that arose through an online video that had gone viral. Though the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has advised Nigerians on how to avoid the food poisoning associated with the act, fear has gripped many while others remain unperturbed. After the video went viral the CPC advised consumers of the grain to to extensively parboil beans already stocked before consumption as well as to make sufficient enquiries before engaging in new purchases.

The council gave the advice in a statement released by its Director General, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, saying consumers should also wash their food items before cooking. “In any and every case, thoroughly washing food items before consumption or preparation for consumption is a generally accepted method of protecting and promoting safety”. The CPC boss, in the statement, said the govern-ment agency “had recently confirmed by credible information that retailers, mostly in the open market are using a pesticide, 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) compound, otherwise marketed and known as “Sniper” to preserve beans, and more particularly to eliminate or protect from weevils”.

Irukera pointed out that sniper, by its chemical composition and nature, is potentially injurious when human beings are “unduly exposed by inhalation, absorption, direct skin contact or ingestion”, stressing that the “risk of injury on account of consumption of beans exposed to, or treated with Sniper is also existential, even though, anunintended consequence”.

While cautioning further on the dangers of using unauthorised chemical to preserve food items, the DG said though cooking significantly reduces risk of exposure from pesticides, “as most are diminished under extended periods of direct heat in excess of 100 degrees, the best possible caution is to avoid subjecting food items to pesticides not in accordance with prevailing food safety regulations”. However, some people are not bothered about the situation as they insisted on consuming the product irrespective of the poisonous pest killer.