Formaldehyde in food: a health risk crossing the Cameroonian border into Gabon
via Gabon Review3 min read
Formaldehyde, a substance classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization, is reportedly being used illegally by some traders in Cameroon to ripen bananas overnight and give fish a deceptive freshness. Cameroon is a primary supplier of fresh produce to Gabonese markets, raising significant public health concerns in Gabon. The practice, which involves spraying fruits and vegetables to accelerate ripening or treating meats and fish to extend preservation, is well-documented and condemned by Cameroonian authorities. They have conducted alerts and operations, with customs seizing thousands of liters of smuggled formaldehyde. Despite these efforts, the phenomenon persists, with recent interceptions of plantains artificially ripened with formaldehyde. Formaldehyde exposure is linked to eye and respiratory irritations, and nasopharyngeal cancers. Repeated ingestion through food can lead to digestive issues and kidney pathologies. The danger is exacerbated by its invisibility; treated produce appears fresh and appealing without obvious signs of contamination, making it impossible for consumers to detect without dedicated tests. This places the burden of protection entirely on public control mechanisms. Gabon has been aware of this issue for years. In September 2019, Libreville's Municipal General Inspectorate seized chemically treated bananas at the PK8 market. The bananas, purchased green in Cameroon, were sprayed with a product locally known as "vers茅-vers茅" and covered
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