ABUJA — The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute has called on the Federal Government to phase out grinding machines fabricated from mild steel and galvanised iron, warning that their continued use poses serious public health risks.
Executive Director of the institute, Prof. Lateef Sanni, said most grinding machines used in markets across the country were made from corrosive metals that could contaminate food and potentially increase cancer risks.
He urged authorities to mandate the replacement of such machines with stainless steel models, stressing that food processing equipment must meet established safety standards.
“All the grinding machines in the country are made of steel and galvanised iron. They are corrosive and may contribute to rising cases of cancer and other diseases,” he said.
Sanni added that food preparation surfaces should strictly be stainless steel to prevent contamination and protect public health.
He also advocated the deployment of nutritionists and food scientists across local government areas to monitor food safety practices, eliminate unsafe equipment and educate traders on associated risks.
On grain preservation, Sanni disclosed that the institute, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, had trained farmers on safer storage techniques and developed NSPRI Dust, capable of preserving soybeans and cowpeas for six to seven months by preventing weevil infestation.
He lamented resistance to safer methods among some farmers, noting that many revert to traditional practices considered cheaper or faster.
Prof. Vincent Aduramigba of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training warned against the use of cement for preserving beans, describing it as dangerous, and called for improved funding of Agricultural Development Programmes and strengthened extension services nationwide.
