EXCLUSIVE: FOOD FRAUD ALERT: OVER 90% OF PACKAGED TOMATO PASTES FROM CHINA ARE SUB-STANDARD AND DANGEROUS – NAFDAC

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Dr. Paul Orhii

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exclusive information obtained by BRANDPOWER has revealed that unscrupulous Asian and Nigerian importers have been dumping substandard tomato pastes manufactured in China into Nigeria. At a recent consultative meeting held between the top echelon of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and control (NAFDAC) and packaged tomato paste top importers, the director-general of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, revealed that after a recent survey of 85 tomato paste brands sold in various markets across the country, those imported from China were clearly below international and Nigerian standards and specifications. The cheery news however is that local tomato paste brands were confirmed to meet the required safety and nutritional standards as NAFDAC has always made regular unscheduled inspections at their various production facilities in the country.tomato paste 2

The damning report revealed that 91.1 per cent of the brands studied failed the NAFDAC test with virtually all the packaged brands from China being the culprits. In a frightening dimension officials of the Agency observed that most of the China-made brands contained far less than the required quantity of tomato concentrate. They were rather filled with bulking agents such as starch and then infused with banned colouring which could cause cancer and lead to organ failure. This may in fact be responsible for the increase in Kidney and Liver-related ailments among young and middle-aged Nigerians across the country, NAFDAC has in the meantime commenced a massive recall effort to mop up the affected brands and go after the respective organisations and individuals involved in the gross inhuman business.

BRANDPOWER investigations revealed that the motivating factor for selling starch, coated in dangerous colouring, in the name of tomato paste to unwitting Nigerian consumers is greed as some of the could concentrate meant for one container load of tomato pastes could be used to make as much as five to ten containers and then sell at very low prices to lure unsuspecting consumers! While the importers are smiling to the banks, Nigerians are rushing to hospitals and early graves due to their unmitigated greed. While the starch is a clear danger to diabetics, the banned coloring are said to be carcinogenic that is cancer-causing. Meanwhile, the respective substandard tomato pastes cannot be sold in China where like the European Union, US and rest of the civilized world, colouring of all kinds and bulking agents like starch are banned. NAFDAC has, however, warned the importers that the game is over as it has set up special food laboratories in key cities of the country to do regular checks of food samples in the markets in all states and prosecute any food fraud offender.

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Some of the importers however feigned ignorance of the dangers posed by the coloring as they claim that the unnaturally coloured pastes are what Nigerian consumers prefer because it makes their cooking red and attractive.

Below is an excerpt of the speech delivered by Dr, Paul Orhii to packaged tomato paste importers obtained exclusively by BRANDPOWER:

Tomato is one of the consumed fruits in the world, either as raw fruits or as processed products. In fact, available records reveal that globally, tomatoes are second only to potatoes in economic importance and consumption and are used in the food industry as raw material for the production of several products such as juices, sauces, purees, pastes, an d canned tomatoes.

Tomato Paste is also a rich source of Lycopene, a photochemical with many possible health benefits and a natural pigment that gives many red fruits and vegetables their colour. It has been scientifically proven that Lycopene contains a potent antioxidant that stabilizes free radicals making them harmless and helping the body to dispose of them thereby reducing the risks of cancer and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Tomato concentrate is widely accepted in Nigeria as ingredients in food preparations. It has therefore become expedient and necessary to regulate its safety and quality. This is in order to ensure its suitability for human consumption thus protecting the health of consumers and preventing dumping through importation of substandard products into local/ Nigeria market.

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Tomato concentrate is a product obtained from sound ripe tomatoes of good flavour and colour of species.

The product is widely used in most Nigerian homes for culinary purposes. The Nigerian populace consumes a lot of tomato paste either used as stew, jollof rice, etc. or as part of our dietary consumption pattern.

Following food safety concerns from intelligence gathering , Global Food Safety Conferences Workshops, Summit, Food Fraud Network and Codex Committee Meeting on Processed Fruits and vegetables ( tomato concentrate falls under this committee) it became imperative to conduct a study of the quality of Tomato Paste imported from China to Nigeria.

The Codex Alimentarius Standards and Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) for Tomato Concentrates were elaborated to ensure Food Safety and fair practices in Food Trade. Codex Alimentarius is a United Nations body established by Food and Agricultural Organisation and World Health Organisation to ensure International Food Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice concerning topics related to food production and trade farm to table. National Standards are harmonised with Codex Food Safety Standards to ensure fair practices in Food Trade.

Processed tomato concentrates is prepared by concentrating juice obtained by substantially sound, matured red tomatoes (Lycopersicon/Lycopersicum esculentum P. Mill) or otherwise prepared to exclude the majority of skins, seeds and other coarse or hand substances in the finished product. It should be prepared by physical means.

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Tomato concentrates may be considered “Tomato puree” or “Tomato Paste” when the concentrate meets these requirements:

Tomato Puree: a processed tomato concentrate that contains not less than eight percent (8%) but less than twenty four percent (24%) of natural total soluble solids

Tomato Paste: a processed tomato concentrate that contains at least twenty four (24%) of natural soluble solids

Double concentrate Tomato should not contain less than twenty eight percent (28%)of natural total tomato soluble solids.

The permitted optional ingredients in Tomato Concentrates are:

Food grade salt (Sodium Chloride),

Spices, Aromatic herbs (when added must be declared)

Lemon juice when used as an acidulant,

Salt or sugar level of 1% of the dry matter content but not with other sweeteners may be added,

Food additives,

Acidity Regulators

The standards DO NOT permit the addition of any food starch or colour to the Tomato concentrate.

The findings of our study indicated a high percentage of Tomato Paste imports from China in retail packs were substandard and did not meet the prescribed quality standards and specification.

The Food Safety issues and attendant Health  implications need to be urgently addressed and challenges tackled as we remain committed to safe guarding the health of the Nation by ensuring that only good quality tomato paste in retail packs are imported, distributed, sold and consumed in Nigeria.TOMATO 3