The Ondo State Government on Wednesday destroyed adulterants seized from a cocoa merchant at Lipakala Junction in Ondo West Local Government Area.
Chief Segun Odusanya, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, said the truckload of adulterants was intercepted by a task force during a routine patrol.
According to him, the culprits had mixed dried cocoa placenta with cocoa beans in an attempt to increase the product’s weight, thereby undermining the economy.
Odusanya condemned the practice, stressing that such actions harm the cocoa trade and damage the state’s international reputation. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to make Ondo State an unfavourable environment for such illegal activities.
Also Read: NAFDAC Intercepts Expired Beverages Worth N35m in Kaduna
He urged cocoa merchants to support efforts aimed at eradicating adulteration.
“We appeal to the public to provide information about cocoa merchants involved in tampering with produce so that we can take swift action,” he said.
He added that the suspect would be fined, while the adulterants and vehicle used have been impounded as a deterrent.
“This action reinforces our commitment to eliminating adulteration in the cocoa industry,” Odusanya said.
Also speaking, Mr Philip Akintorinwa, Assistant Director of Produce and Area Officer for Ondo West, confirmed that the seized materials included dried cocoa placenta.
Akintorinwa attributed the adulteration to the rising demand and price of cocoa in the international market and noted that the ministry remains committed to stamping out such practices through continuous task force operations.
“Had the adulterants not been detected, the produce would have appeared heavier and fetched an inflated price,” he explained.
