A fisheries expert and Director of Academic Planning at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, Dr Olubunmi Adeosun, has warned fish processors against using insecticides to preserve fish, describing the practice as dangerous and harmful to public health.
According to The Punch, Dr Adeosun issued the warning while delivering OYSCATECH’s second inaugural lecture titled “From Harvest to Plate: The Journey of the Pearls of the Waters,” held on Wednesday. Her remarks were contained in a statement signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Olawore Opeyemi, on Thursday.
She cautioned that the use of insecticides and other unhygienic methods in fish production could expose consumers to serious health risks, stressing the need for proper cleaning and sanitary measures to maintain the safety and quality of fish products.
According to her, “Fish is a nutritious food source packaged with essential nutrients and a great addition to a healthy diet, and the American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week.
“Fish food and safety are critical to consumers due to their health implications, and to exploit the export potential for smoked farmed catfish, there is a need for strict adherence to international quality and safety standards.”
Highlighting the nutritional importance of fish, Dr Adeosun noted that it is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins that support heart health, brain function, and bone development.
She urged fish processors to prioritise the health of consumers by avoiding the use of insecticides in the preservation of smoked catfish and called on farmers to refrain from feeding fish with junk or excessive antibiotics.
Dr Adeosun also advised consumers to be cautious about the kind of fish they purchase and consume, urging them to pay attention to quality and safety indicators.
She emphasised the role of stakeholders in regulating the use of harmful preservatives and enforcing good manufacturing practices across the fish value chain.
Calling for increased government intervention, the expert appealed to the Federal Government to support local fish production to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported fish. She attributed Nigeria’s reliance on fish imports to low domestic output and inadequate support for local producers and processors.
As part of her recommendations, she proposed continuous training and sensitisation of fish farmers, processors, and retailers on the dangers of using insecticides and other harmful substances in fish preservation.
Earlier in the event, OYSCATECH Rector, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Government for its steady financial backing and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to innovation, food sufficiency, and self-employment.
The lecture attracted several past and present officials of the college, including Dr Ariyo Okunlola, Dr Sarafa Agbogun, Dr Taiwo Akinyemi, Dr Kolawole Raheem, Mr Modupe Ogundapo, and Engr. Dauda Salaam.
