Suya as it is being made and sold in many places
should not be eaten because of the risks and
dangers associated. I will try as much as possible
to explain this in very simple and clear terms.
This is to enable even a layman read and
understand the message of this post. I promise
not to mention terms such terms as benz
[a]anthracene, Fasciola hepatica and Taenia
saginata . In fact, forget I mentioned those three.
All I just want you to know are the risks and
dangers associated with eating just any Suya.
What is Suya?
If you are reading this, you probably know what
Suya is. But by way of definition, Suya is a spicy
skewered meat which is a popular food item in
various parts of Nigeria and is enjoyed as a
delicacy in many parts of West Africa. It is
traditionally prepared by the Hausa people of
northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and some
parts of Sudan.
Health and Safety Issues Associated With Suya
Consumption
Forget the dirty environment and poor or zero
hygiene conditions in which Suya is made and
handled in many places in Nigeria, there are other
dangers that are inherent in the consumption of
Suya – those that many would never know unless
they are Food professional or have come across
an article like this that explains it.
Suya and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
(PAHs)
You know when they say Cigarette kills? It is
majorly due to the PAHs they contain. Many Suya
sellers make their Suya by burning all sort of
woods and charcoal to make their fire. Some
even throw in such things as plastics to make
their ember burn brighter in order to cook the
Suya meat. Many of these materials burning
under the meat contain these Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons — and do you know what these
PAHs do in the body after enough consumption or
exposure?
1. Some PAHs are chemical carcinogens
(cancer-causing compounds) while seven
PAH compounds have also been classified
as probable human carcinogens.
2. Some PAH compounds are mutagens.
Mutagen is a physical or chemical agent
that changes the genetic material (DNA).
3. According to a finding, reported in an article
on health.usnews.com , high prenatal
exposure to PAH is associated with lower IQ
and childhood asthma. Potential of contacting zoonotic diseases
A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be
passed between animals and humans. Since Suya
meats are generally undercooked and in rare
occasions carrying some blood on them, there is
a chance that one could contact zoonotic
diseases from Suya.
Take for example, during the Ebola Virus Disease
outbreak, we were warned to stay away from
Monkey and Bat meats. There was also a stern
warning to always cook our meats very well
before we eat them. Cooking meat very well
cannot really be said of Suya.
Beef Tapeworm (Taenia saginata )
This is commonly known as the beef tapeworm –
a zoonotic tapeworm. Like it was mentioned
above, humans majorly get infected by
consuming undercooked beef. The infection is
may come without any noticeable symptoms but
heavy infection can also occur with attendant
symptoms. Heavy infection often results in
weight loss, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea,
headaches, nausea, constipation, chronic
indigestion, and loss of appetite. Heavy infections
may cause intestinal obstruction in humans —
this can be alleviated by surgery.
Suya can be very delicious and make a good
delicacy if well cooked and appropriate types of
woods are used for smoking.
For example, it is advised to cook/heat the Suya
meat to a safe internal temperature around 80
degrees Celcius or more. Avoid adding plastics or
fuels such as kerosene to the fire to make it burn
better.
Finally, let me say that eating moderate amounts
of smoked meat (Suya) without charring to a
safe, yet medium temperature should not not
pose a problem. www.foodsng.com/suya-and-reasons-you-should-stop-eating-it/

hahah i really miss that suya thing,,,technically its not safe but its what describes us as nigerians

Abstaining from it is what I can't , but I have to control my intake of it

Would people ever listen

phabuloz:
Abstaining from it is what I can't , but I have to control my intake of it

lol I totally understand you bro Hahahahahaha that shitt tastes gooooood.

icedbeatz:
lol I totally understand you bro Hahahahahaha that shitt tastes gooooood.

you grab

Ki le le yin so?
What's this one saying?
Utter balderdash
If suya kills, how many of us would've been dead buried and forgotten?
Pls,just simply advise people to pay attention to hygiene factors and not instill fear

Ops you should have put up any pictures, seriously

Tnx for ur enlightenment but it really tastes gud. Need for watchfulness.

They told me not to take coke, too much sugar
They told me not to take ice cream, too fattening
Now they are telling me not to eat suya?

brodalikeme:
Ops you should have put up any pictures, seriously

why

whizzzz:
why

how can someone be looking at the luscious picture of the suya and not want to taste it one more time.