The consumption of most of the animal hides, otherwise referred to as Ponmo, in the market is not good for human health, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned.
Consuming them, the agency said, could lead to cancer, liver and heart damage among other such diseases.
It explained that most of the hides, were usually imported into the country legally for industrial use and pre-treated with industrial chemicals not good for human consumption.
According to NAFDAC, the hides which were not of food grade and toxic were injurious to human health.
The warning was given in a statement by the Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye.
The statement reads in part: “The Management of NAFDAC wishes to use this medium to alert the general public and in particular consumers of animal hides popularly known as Ponmo on the activities of some unscrupulous business men and traders.
“These imported animal hides are meant for industrial use by leather industries for the manufacturing of items such as shoes, bag, belt and others.
“Health hazards inherent in the consumption of such animal hides include risk of liver, kidney and heart damage, increased risk of Aplastic anaemia, central nervous system toxicity, cancer and many more.’’
The statement reads further: “NAFDAC, therefore, encourages the general public to be vigilant and exercise discretion when purchasing animal hides, Ponmo and indeed other food items.’’
The agency said it had increased the tempo of targeted and aggressive routine and unannounced inspections to monitor activities of animal hide merchants.
It explained that its actions would ensure that only food grade animal hide, Ponmo, was sold as food article in the markets.
