Health Officials Sound Alarm Over Dangerous Chemical Use on Harvested Tomatoes

Rukungiri: Tomato growers across Rukungiri district have been urged to stop applying chemicals on harvested tomatoes in an attempt to prolong their freshness.

This warning was issued on November 26, by the Senior Agricultural Inspector from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Ronald Asiimwe, during an interview at the district headquarters.

Asiimwe revealed that some tomato traders have resorted to spraying harvested tomatoes with mancozeb, a chemical meant for field use, wrongly believing it helps the tomatoes last longer on the market. He cautioned that this practice poses serious health risks to consumers.

According to Asiimwe, consuming tomatoes treated with mancozeb exposes people to different complications, like typhoid, cancer risks, and reproductive health challenges. He emphasized that these chemicals cannot be washed off completely, leaving consumers vulnerable to long-term health effects.

He further warned individuals who sell fake or inappropriate agrochemicals, fertilizers, and seeds to farmers, stressing that enforcement operations will soon be conducted to hold perpetrators accountable. Asiimwe advised farmers to always consult agricultural professionals before purchasing any chemicals for their crops.

CUE IN……ASIIMWE….RR.

The District Health Educator, Dr. Alban Natukunda, expressed concern that the chemicals sprayed on tomatoes often seep into the peelings, which are consumed directly. He noted that many people believe they are eating safe food, yet they may unknowingly ingest poisonous substances.

Dr. Natukunda encouraged farmers to adopt safer and older pest control methods, including organic manure pesticides and garlic extracts, to prevent diseases linked to consuming chemically contaminated tomatoes, such as cancer and other long-term health issues.

CUE IN……NATUKUNDA RR/ENG.