Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has raised concerns over the safety of fresh fruits and beverages sold in Nigeria, revealing that a laboratory test found freshly squeezed orange juice prepared by his wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, unsafe for consumption.
Speaking at the Open Day for Gardeners’ Seminar in Lagos, Osinbajo said his wife had switched from carbonated drinks to fresh orange juice years ago as a healthier alternative, but later began experiencing unexplained headaches.
He explained that after other possible causes were ruled out, a sample of the juice was sent for laboratory analysis. The result confirmed that the freshly squeezed drink was unfit for human consumption.
According to him, his wife had often criticised his preference for Coke, only for her own “healthier” choice to turn out to be contaminated.
Osinbajo said the lab results identified harmful substances in the juice, including gamma-lin-20 and phosphite — a highly toxic fumigant — in addition to calcium carbide, which is commonly used to artificially ripen fruits.
He described the situation as “almost like an epidemic,” warning that fruits and drinks that appear fresh or natural are not automatically safe, given the handling they undergo between the farm and the point of sale.
The former Vice President called for stronger regulation, stricter enforcement, and increased public awareness to curb the unsafe practices affecting fruit and beverage safety across the country.
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