BY SUNNY A. DAVID
A food poisoning outbreak has hit Onitsha, Anambra State, as reports emerge that at least 10 people have been hospitalized after consuming contaminated beans purchased from local markets.
The incident has raised concerns about food safety in the State, with authorities urged to investigate the source of the tainted beans and take measures to prevent further cases.
Investigation carried out by our correspondent recently indicate that the victims developed a strange ailment which was accompanied by watery defecation following consumption of beans.
Following the ugly development which has rattled beans consumers in and around the commercial town of Onitsha, beans consumers have abandoned consumption of the item until health authorities clear the air.
Following the alleged health hazard consumers of beans and its allied products like moi- moi and bean cake (akara) are so much scared and subsequently thrown out of business for now.
At Ochanja Central Market and Ose-Okwodu Market both in Onitsha foodstuffs sellers who declined to disclose their identities admitted hearing the sad incident, adding that since hearing about the incident they have been recording low sales of the produce.
However, market sources claim that beans which is one of the staple foods in Nigeria has lost consumers since the price skyrocketed to high havens.
A cup of beans which initially cost N150.00 early this year now cost between N450.00 and N500 within the first and second week of July.
Beans has remained a major source of protein to Nigerians, including its affordability before now. However, consumers would have to consider their health first in the present circumstance of the alleged product poisoning.
