The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised Nigerians to stay away from eating animal hides, otherwise known as Ponmo because of the chemical used in treating it.
In a statement released by the Director General (DG) of the agency, Mrs. Mojisola Adeyeye, most of those animal hides were meant for industrial use, adding that some of the animal hides were pre-treated with industrial chemicals, which were not of food grade and were toxic and injurious to human health.
She said investigations have revealed that some companies legally imported hides from countries like Lebanon and Turkey, while majority of the product were smuggled into the country through the porous borders.
“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,’’ she said.
The DG also said livestock farmers were also advised to note that industrial animal hides could not be used to manufacture animal feed.
Wawu Gist 