Tropical General Investments Group, makers of Big Bull Rice, has urged Nigerians to stop consuming unwholesome and contaminated foods.
The firm, in a statement on Tuesday, said when rice is being sold in the loose form, it affects its quality.
“Different rice brands have expiry dates which buyers of the commodities in cups, plastic containers and basins of various sizes are not aware of because it has been removed from the bags. It is, therefore, possible that many consumers buy rice that has expired, with the very high risk of consuming unwholesome products whose quality cannot be guaranteed and are not safe for human consumption.
“Another factor is the condition of the local market where rice is sold in. When sold in open market in loose form, there are very high chances of cross-contamination by other food items like meat, vegetable fruits and corn as all items are sold near each other. The rice can be contaminated by stone, dust, husk and other foreign matters thereby impacting the quality.
“It can also be exposed to micro-organisms, rodents, insects and other disease-causing pathogens.”
While some of these contaminants may be removed during washing at home, not all of them may be removed. In recent times, where the scare of diseases has heightened, these factors are worth considering,” the statement partly reads.
It added that displaying rice in open containers was not hygienic, saying this could lead to food poisoning.
“Displaying rice in open containers that are not hygienic and on floors is very inimical to human health. In Nigeria, the World Health Organisation estimates that more than 200,000 people die of food poisoning yearly from food-borne pathogens. These deaths are caused by contaminated foods through improper storage, processing, preservation, and handling.
“When rice is sold loose, the consumer will be left second-guessing the brand and may not be able to make informed choices. The unsuspecting consumer is also vulnerable to retailers who may want to capitalise on this to sell low-quality rice for the price of high-quality rice,” the statement added.
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