Following recent alert by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the use of paracetamol tablets in food preparation, some Lagosians have expressed shock and disappointment.
They said that the news came to them as a shock.
They added that it had left them with concerns over the health implications of such a practice.
Paracetamol is used for the treatment of mild illnesses, moderate pains from headaches, backaches, toothaches, menstrual periods, flu and to reduce fever.
Unfortunately, some people had turned this painkiller into a tenderiser they add to food such as beans and molokony (animal hoof) while preparing them for human consumption.
Mrs Joy Ossai, a housewife, said that though her family mostly eats meals prepared at home, she would create awareness among her friends about the dangers of eating foods prepared with harmful substances.
“I take my time to cook meals; I know people add potash to soften `Pomo’ (cow skin) and other foods while cooking them.
“However, I have never heard of the use of paracetamol tablets.
“I have to caution some people against it; I will post it on my Facebook page and my group chats on the WhatsApp to tell them what is happening,” she said.
Also, Daniel Amadi, a pastor, said that he had never heard of the practice but was worried as to what the consequences was to those who had eaten such in public meals, unknowingly.
He said that he knew that some people used to add a whole bulb of onions into their beans while boiling it to make it soft on time.
“I do it too and it works for me.
“I will stop eating out; I’ll suggest people try and plan their meals so that they can prepare their foods themselves to avoid eating things that will harm them,” he said.
Hannah Momoh, a student, said she would stop eating foods cooked outside her home to avoid getting sick.
She said: “I was fond of eating out before.
“ Since I heard that some food vendors usually add Paracetamol tablets to their food during preparation, I had become worried.
“ I have to be more conscious of what I eat outside my home now.’’
Mrs Vivian Monday, a caterer who is popular for selling: beans, bread and `Pomo’, advised that people should always exercise patience while cooking.
Monday also said that people should adopt other methods that could aid food preparation instead of a
