Industrial animal hides are being sold as ‘Ponmo’ – NAFDAC warns

Some industrial animal hides meant for the production of mostly fashion accessories are being sold to the public, and in particular, consumers of animal hides known as ‘Ponmo’ in local parlance, an act the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) reveals is being perpetrated by some unscrupulous business men and traders.

The Agency in a statement today (Friday), noted that as far back as 2015, following intelligence reports, through its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, had been successfully dealing with isolated cases of dangerous diversion of animal hides meant for industrial use into the food chain for consumption as a local delicacy called Ponmo. “This practice poses grave danger to public health,” says NAFDAC.

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The industrial animal hides being sold as Ponmo, according to NAFDAC are meant for use by leather industries for the manufacture of items such as shoes, bags, belts etc. The hides, NADFAC states “are pre-treated with industrial chemicals which are not of food grade and will be toxic and injurious to human health.” It further identifies Health hazards inherent in the consumption of such animal hides to include risk of Liver, Kidney and Heart damage, increased risk of Aplastic anaemia, Central nervous system toxicity, Cancer, etc.

NAFDAC says its investigations revealed that some of the companies legally imported hides from countries such as Lebanon and Turkey, while majority of the product was smuggled into the country through the porous borders.

Live stock farmers were also advised to note that industrial animal hides can also not be used to manufacture animal feed, as the associated chemicals will be stored in the tissues of these animals and will eventually end up in humans when consumed with the attendant deleterious effects listed above.

The public was advised in the statement, to be very vigilant and exercise discretion when purchasing ‘Ponmo’ and indeed other food items.