₦airaland Forum

Packaging food in polythene bags causes cancer – NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has warned that polythene bags popularly known as nylon causes cancer.

It appealed to Nigerians to stop using the materials for food packaging.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC spoke in a chat with journalists on Monday in Abuja.

“Packaging of pap in nylon is not encouraging; green leaves are all over the place, leaf is the best thing to use for packaging item and it must be clean”, she said.

“Nylon is not good for packaging hot food because the heat will make the nylon leak chemicals, it must be discouraged.”

The DG explained that plastic materials usually have Bisphenol A (BPA) which can cause cancer.

“We are doing a study in our labs on different packaging of food, especially on nylon. The outcome will be out shortly,’’ Adeyeye assured.

She further cautioned against the use of aspirin to purify water, saying this amounts to adding salicylic acid into the water one intends to drink.

“Drinking water that contains salicylic acid can cause erosion of the intestine, cancer, ulcer and many more damages to human health.

“The treatment of water with chlorine and alum must be minimal and must not exceed the required amount”, Adeyeye added.

An infographic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows how different styles of beards can stop face masks and respirators from working.

The chart was initially released in 2017, but has resurfaced after a top CDC official warned that it’s no longer ‘a question of if…but when’ coronavirus will spread in the US. Being clean shaven or having side whiskers, soul patches and handlebar moustaches will allow the mask to fit properly.

However lengthier styles such as the Fu Manchu tashe, mutton chops, beards and even stubble are not recommended because they would likely interfere with seal, allowing air particles to slip in.

Face masks are being used by many people in an effort to avoid catching coronavirus, which has battered Italy and begun spreading through Europe in recent days.

The chart was published to tell people who want to do Movember what facial hair works with tight-fitting masks, but is applicable for any situation where you need to wear one.

The CDC says you don’t need to wear a respirator if you are already healthy. However it is ‘crucial’ for medics and anyone displaying the flu-like symptoms.

A goatee, horseshoe and villain moustache are fine with caution but the hair should not cross the respirator’s sealing surface, according to the poster.

NAFDAC warns Nigerians against `Maishayi’ tea

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians to be cautious when taking cup of tea popularly known as `Maishayi’ from vendors.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Adeyeye said that the warning became necessary following information the agency received that Maishayi now mix intoxicating drugs in the tea prepared for customers.

She mentioned intoxicating drugs such as tramadol, Vieteling, Marijuana and others, adding that people could lose their lives after taking tea mixed with such drugs.

“In the US, lots of people are dying because of these medicines. How can such medicines mix with palm wine in the name of getting high in Nigeria?

“There are some medicines you cannot take if you have cardiovascular problem,’’ she said.

The director-general said that the agency was working toward collaborating with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to check for quality medicine in orthodox and herbal.

According to her, the idea is necessary since NIPRD specialises on research, and the purpose is to safeguard health of the nation.

She however, called on the people to desist from harmful medicine in the name of power enhancement in whatever area they think of.

Adeyeye added that the agency’s five laboratories had been accredited many times and has quality with high standard.

“We are going further, we want a central drug lab to be World Health Organisation (WHO) pre-qualify; we are raising our bar higher,’’ she said.

Adeyeye said that it would continue to sensitise people against the drugs and believe that within the year, the agency would get the WHO pre-qualified central drug lab. (NAN)

Catholics in Nigeria have been asked to wear black outfits on Ash Wednesday to protest
rising insecurity in the country.

The directive was communicated in a statement by Catholics Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

The statement signed by Augustine Akubeze
and Camillus Umoh, President and Secretary of
CBCN respectively, reads, “As a mark of mourning all our brothers and sisters who have
been victims of the most recent wave of violence against Christians, we are all dressed in black today and offer our prayers and penance for their repose.

“We invite the universal church and all Christians to join us in prayers for our dead brothers and sisters and for peace and security in Nigeria.

“We equally appeal to the international community to come to the aid of the Nigerian Government in the fight against terrorists, who want to destabilise our country.

“The repeated barbaric executions of Christians by Boko Haram insurgents and incessant cases of kidnapping for ransom linked to the same group and other terrorists have traumatised many citizens."