The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted 120 tons of imported chemical-laden animal hides and skins, popularly known as ‘ponmo’.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement explained that the large quantities of dangerous ‘Ponmo’ were intercepted at six different locations in Lagos.

According to her, investigation has commenced on seven suspects involved in the illicit act.

She further explained that samples of the products have been sent to the laboratory for testing to ascertain the products’ quality and unhealthiness.

“The street value of the product currently intercepted is estimated to be around N25.330m only”, she revealed.

She advised Nigerians to be careful when buying ‘Ponmo’, and also advised consumers and retailers of the commodity not to patronize importers of hides and skins for consumable animal skins.

The Director-General of NAFDAC opined that the hides are pre-treated with industrial chemicals that are not of food-grade but are toxic and injurious to human health.

“The general public is hereby encouraged to be very vigilant and exercise discretion when purchasing animal hides ‘ponmo and indeed other food items.

“NAFDAC is fully alive to her responsibilities of assuring the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of processed foods offered for sale to the public’’, she said.