Killer Beans

Here's something Nigerians who live in Nigeria might want to know....

Please be informed that NAFDAC has just discovered killer beans in the Nigerian markets. Some farmers, in their bid to preserve beans accidentally added more pesticide than normal and this killer beans has found its way into the markets.

YOU ARE PLEASE ADVISED TO STAY AWAY FROM BUYING BEANS IN THE MEANTIME UNTIL THIS KILLER BEANS IS EFFECTIVELY WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET. OR IF YOU MUST EAT BEANS FOR NOW, YOU'RE REQUIRED TO PER-BOIL IT, WASH THOROUGHLY AND COOK EXTENSIVELY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE EATING.

FOLLOWING reports of death arising from the consumption of beans, the National Agency for Drug and Food, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has embarked on workshops to enlighten farmers, grain merchants and the general public regarding the development.

Over 120 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Doma in Gombe State were hospitalized after eating a meal of beans .

In Calabar, Cross River State, reports also has it that112 people were also hospitalized and two children confirmed dead in Bekwarra Council, of the state after eating beans.

In Calabar, Cross River State, reports also has it that 112 people were also hospitalized and two children confirmed dead in Bekwarra Council, of the state after eating beans.

Only on Sunday, about 10 persons died and 20 hospitalized after eating gbegiri soup (beans delicacy) at a burial ceremony in Ede, Osogbo, Osun State.

The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Dorothy Akunyili, said the offensive beans found in Cross River State came from Taraba State and not Benue State as initially claimed.

"The moi-moi and beans from the homes of victims and open market in Benue and Taraba States were collected for laboratory analysis.

It revealed outrageously high levels of organophosphates, carbamates, fenithrothin and chloropyrifes which are highly toxic pesticides. They must have used them in either higher doses than recommended or applied wrongly."

According to the DG, the samples of uncooked beans, palm oil, onions, maggi, and other condiments used in cooking the beans, as in the case of victims, were tested, and their results proved the presence of lindane, popularly known as gammallin which affects the nervous system.

"Lindane, called gammallin is an organochlorinated pesticide banned under the 1989 Rotterdam convention," she said. Akunyili noted that results of the samples included endosulphan, which is also a highly restricted pesticide under the convention.

The agency has embarked on routine workshops to enlightenand re-train farmers, grain merchants and the public on the use of agrochemicals (pesticides). The workshops have kicked off in Gombe and Cross River States.

The agency said that food poisoning arising from the consumption of beans had become a serious health hazard which must be addressed so that it did not seem like the case of fake drugs which has killed and maimed so many Nigerians. She also urged the farmers and grain dealers to desist from using banned toxic agrochemical such as gammallin or over-dose or wrong application of approved pesticides for preserving beans and other grains.

Sources from the agency revealed that there are also cases of killer beans in Plateau State, Minna and some other northern states. The source who preferred anonymity said some of the dealers were in a hurry to make quick sales.

"Some chemicals are to stay for six months. But some of them won't wait for the six months before they start selling them out to people, she said.

She disclosed that some of the effects include vomiting, nausea, weakness of the joints, discomfort in the stomach, which might eventually lead to death. She pointed out that there was no significant sign to identify an affected grain.

Be safe...
Cheers...