Na serious matter wey fit make fruit lovers look twice before dem buy their favourite oranges, watermelons, mangoes and bananas. Fresh information wey reach our desk point to one disturbing practice wey some vendors allegedly dey use laundry detergent wash fruits to make dem shine well-well, attract customers and increase sales. Instead make fruit simply look like wetin e be, some sellers allegedly wan give am beauty treatment wey suppose belong to dirty clothes!
The matter no be ordinary market gist wey person suppose laugh finish and forget. According to one report wey surface on October 26, 2026, some traders allegedly dey use household cleaning products to remove dirt and make their produce look more attractive. But while the fruits fit shine like say dem just return from beauty salon, the big question be whether the food wey people dey buy to nourish their bodies don become another source of health concern.
FRUIT BEAUTY CONTEST: When Profit Become More Important Than Food Safety
For market where customers dey use eye judge fruit before dem bring out money, shiny produce fit attract attention pass the one wey still get small natural dirt. Na this kind competition fit encourage some traders to look for shortcuts to make their goods appear fresher and more attractive. Unfortunately, if the allegation about detergent use prove true, the method fit turn ordinary shopping into one unnecessary chemical gamble.
Imagine person waka enter market to buy orange because e wan enjoy natural vitamin C, only to discover say the orange don receive treatment wey suppose make shirt sparkle after washing! Na there the difference between appearance and genuine cleanliness dey show. orange fit shine like Christmas decoration, but that shine no be evidence say e safe to eat.
The matter also raise questions about the pressure wey traders dey face to sell their goods before dem spoil. Fruits wey remain unsold fit lead to financial loss, so some sellers fit dey search for ways to make their produce attractive. But business pressure no suppose become excuse to use cleaning products wey no dey designed for food. Better sales no suppose come at the expense of public health.
DETERGENT NO BE JUICE: Experts Warn About Possible Health Risks
According to nutrition experts wey speak on the issue in a report published in September 2026, laundry detergent and other household cleaning products no dey designed for washing fruits wey people go eat. Residues fit remain on the surface, especially around cracks, bruises, stems and rough areas. Swallowing detergent residue fit irritate the mouth, throat and digestive system, while the possible effects depend on the product and the amount swallowed.
The United States Food and Drug Administration also advise consumers make dem no use soap, laundry detergent or commercial produce washes on fruits and vegetables. Instead, dem recommend thorough washing under clean, running water. Even if person rinse fruit after detergent don touch am, e no mean say every residue don comot. So, if anybody think say detergent na the secret ingredient for premium-quality fruit, the person need rethink that idea.
For consumers, the message clear: no judge fruit safety by shine alone. Wash them thoroughly under clean, running water before eating, cutting or peeling dem. For fruits with firm surfaces, person fit gently scrub dem with clean produce brush. Remove damaged portions, avoid rotten produce and keep them away from dirty containers and surfaces. If person suspect say fruit don receive detergent treatment, e better make dem no eat am and seek guidance from an appropriate food-safety or health professional.
The authorities also get important work to do. Food-safety education, proper market inspections and responsible handling practices fit help protect both consumers and honest traders. NAFDAC’s food-hygiene guidelines emphasise safe water and hygienic handling of food, principles wey market sellers suppose take seriously.
As this detergent-fruit controversy dey attract attention, OGM News Pidgin go continue to monitor developments and any further clarification from relevant authorities. The main lesson be say fruit wey shine no automatically mean say e safe. Make consumers stay alert, make traders put public health first, and make everybody watch out for future updates as we continue to follow this important food-safety matter.
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