THE FEDERAL Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has announced the design and fabrication of stainless-steel pepper grinding machine to combat heavy metal contamination of food products and its attendant health consequences.
The FIIRO Director-General, Mrs Jummai Tutuwa, announced the new innovation in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Tutuwa said that the high level of heavy metal in grounded foodstuffs like melon seeds, pepper, tomatoes and other food items had been documented over the years.
“FIIRO has designed and fabricated stainless-steel pepper grinding machine to address this issue.
“The FIIRO multipurpose commercial pepper grinding machine is all-in-one food milling machine fitted with accessories capable of both dry and wet milling food processing operations.
“The institute is currently at the stage of commercialising the newly-designed and fabricated commercial stainless-steel pepper grinding machine by transferring the technology to indigenous fabricators who can mass produce, based on the institute’s specifications,” Tutuwa said.
She, however, stated that the licensing would come with strict specifications regarding material types (specifically Grades 304 and 316 stainless steel) to ensure that mass-produced versions maintained the original safety profile.
According to her, the institute publishes fabrication manuals that serve as a “how-to” guide for artisans, emphasising the importance of non-corrosive surfaces in food-contact zones.
“This research work has been patented. It is possible but very difficult to achieve regulation of grinding with standardised grinding equipment in an open Nigerian market.
“However, with good partnership with FIIRO, government and other stakeholders, the machines can be produced and handed over to grinders in our local markets,’’ she said.
The director-general said that mandate was based on research and development in the design and fabrication of the prototype equipment in the food and agro allied sector.
She said that plans were on to have documentation of all grinders in the Nigerian market and also partner with the National Assembly, office of the wife of the president and other key stakeholders to drive fabrication, mass distribution, monitoring and maintenance of the equipment.
Tutuwa described the new innovation as a practical effort to curb the menace of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and organ failure in the country.
“The grinding machines used in Nigeria, for instance, have been found to contain dangerous, high level of iron and zinc; metals that can cause progressive organ damage over time.
“These machines, often used in local markets, have not been properly maintained or serviced, leading to the introduction of these toxic metals into the food that people consume daily.
“The lack of awareness amongst consumers and the absence of enforcement from regulators have compounded the problem, making it a public health issue that requires urgent attention and action,’’ she said.
The director-general explained that heavy metals such as Zn, pb, Fe and Cu were abundant in the environment, contributing largely to the sustainability and equilibrium ecosystem processes.
She, however, said because of their bioaccumulation, non-degradability and the excessive amount in which they exist, the metals contaminate the food chain and subsequently become a source of toxicity to human beings and the entire ecological function.
“For instance, grounded pepper, egusi, tomatoes and other food products in Nigeria have been found to contain heavy metals such as lead (pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As). These metals can pose health risk due to their toxicity and potential accumulation in the body.
“The contamination level has been found to exceed the World Health Organisation/Food and Agriculture Organisation (WHO/FAO) standards, particularly in areas with heavy traffic and industrial activities.
“The presence of these metals in food products highlights the need for stringent monitoring and control of industrial activities to prevent further contamination and protect public health,” she said.
Tutuwa said that the widespread use of cadmium in industries had caused an important eco-toxicological problem, adding that it was freely found in living organism such as clams, crustaceans and mushrooms.
She noted that reports of increasing incidence rates of cardiovascular diseases had become the order of the day in the country, with organ failures even among young adults being on the increase.
Tutuwa said a comprehensive assessment by FIIRO scientists in 2013 showed the presence of heavy metals (lead, copper, chromium, nickel, cadmium, manganese and non-heavy ones (calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron) in contaminated locally-fabricated grinded tomatoes, pepper and onion in Lagos metropolis. (NAN)
