By Garba Abdullahi Bagwai, in Kano
The Kano State Consumer Protection Council (KCPC) has shut down some grain storage facilities at Dawanau Market over allegations that traders were using pesticides to preserve beans, raising concerns about food safety and potential health risks to consumers.
The enforcement action was carried out at the popular grain market in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State following reports that some traders were allegedly using pesticides to prevent beans from spoiling.
The number of facilities affected by the closure has yet to be disclosed.
The council’s Director of Consumer Education and Enlightenment, Jamilu Mustapha Yakasai, announced the development in a statement on Wednesday, quoting the Director of the Monitoring Department, Auwalu Muhammad, as confirming the action.
Muhammad said the council acted after receiving allegations that some traders were using pesticides to preserve beans, describing the practice as a violation of consumer protection laws and food safety regulations.
He stressed that the council would not tolerate practices capable of exposing the public to potentially harmful food products.
According to him, the council remains committed to preventing the sale of goods that pose health risks, particularly food items treated with chemicals that may be unsafe for human consumption.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Dr Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, urged residents to support efforts to rid markets across the state of contaminated and potentially dangerous products.
He also called for stronger collaboration between the council and traders’ associations to discourage unsafe food preservation methods and ensure that storage facilities comply with established safety standards.
