F G Sets to Track Down Transformer Oil Users in Frying Akara, Puff Puff

The Federal Government is making plans to prosecute users of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs), popularly known as transformer oil, in frying akara, puff-puff, plantain chips, chicken and other food items.

PCBs are a group of manmade oily chemicals, usually clear to yellow in colour, with no smell or taste. They are very stable mixtures that are resistant to extreme temperature and pressure.

Prof. Babajide Alloy, a consultant to the Federal Ministry of Environment, who made the disclosure on Tuesday in Calabar, said the consumption of food prepared from PCBs will expose the public to cancer, heart, kidney, and liver diseases.

“For a long time, PCBs were the cooling liquid used in electricity transformers, until the world found out that this oil was toxic, and is trying to phase it out

“Jail term awaits those caught using PCBs to fry akara, chicken and plantain chips at roadside to sell to the public because the oil is toxic and carcinogenic.

“We found out that it is all over the place in Nigeria, dump sites, and in old National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) compounds,” he said.

Alloy said a survey carried out by the ministry revealed that the oil was currently being used in making a number of street food.

The consultant added that the unsuspecting public were being deceived by the likeness of the oil to the commonly used groundnut oil.

“Some food vendors now mix PCBs with groundnut oil to fry akara and sell to the general public.

“Of course, they may not know how hazardous what they are doing is. This exercise is to sensitise policymakers and everyone of this malaise.

“It is important to note that spillage of PCBs is always a danger when equipment is to be transported; it should, therefore, be transported only in sealed containers,” he said.

{The Guardian}