The management of Dawanau International Grains Market in Kano State says it is taking bold steps to tackle food adulteration by some traders in the market.
The President of the market, Alhaji Muntaka Isa, disclosed this while addressing newsmen during an inspection visit of the market.
Isa warned that the management of the market would sanction the perpetrators of the act so as to protect its reputation.
He said the measure followed the detection of over 50 containers of suspected adulterated products that were rejected by international customers, which he said had damaged the market’s image.
“We shall not fold our arms, watch a few selfish and unpatriotic individuals tarnish the good image and reputation of our market built over the years,” he stated.
Also,the Chairman of the market’s Board of Trustees,Alhaji Abdullahi Maidoya,said the management has set up a committee to fish out and prosecute the culprits.
Maidoya said they would also seek the assistance of government agencies, including the Federal Ministries of Trade and Investment, Police Affairs, , Health and Justice.
“We have established a Quality Control Committee to work with government agencies.
‘We have launched an enlightenment and mobilisation campaign with a view to educating the traders on the dangers of food adulteration,”he said.
Hajiya Fatima Yakubu, CEO, Federal Produce Special Service, Kano Branch, said the agency was working assiduously to address food adulteration.
Yakubu decried the rising cases of food adulteration among the food produce merchants .
“The way and manner food merchants get involved in food adulteration is very alarming.
”I am appealing to food commodity merchants to please, as a matter of urgency, desist from this negative attitude.
”The agency will not relent in fighting the ugly trend, ” she warned.(NAN)
