Nigerians may be unwittingly poisoning themselves with everyday foods, as the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos, warns that locally fabricated grinding machines could be behind rising cases of organ failure and heart diseases.
Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa, FIIRO’s Director-General, revealed in a stunning statement that research by the institute found that grinders used for processing tomatoes, pepper, onions, melon seeds, and other staples, especially in Lagos, contain dangerous heavy metals like lead, copper, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and manganese, along with metals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron.
“Prolonged consumption of food contaminated with these metals may contribute to increasing cases of cardiovascular diseases and organ failure, even among young adults,” she warned.
She added that contamination levels in some areas exceeded WHO and FAO safety standards, particularly in high-traffic and industrial zones, making the risk even deadlier.
Explaining the danger, Dr. Tutuwa said, “Heavy metals, though naturally occurring, become harmful due to bioaccumulation, non-degradability, and excessive concentration in the food chain,” noting that cadmium contamination is a serious ecotoxicological concern because of its widespread industrial use.
To fight back, FIIRO has rolled out a stainless-steel pepper grinding machine designed to slash contamination risks and protect public health, offering a safer alternative for Nigerians.
