THE DANGERS OF RIPE PLANTAINS

THE DANGERS OF RIPE PLANTAINS

It is well known that Cameroon is one of the countries in Africa where agriculture is the mainstay of the people. One of the leading crops produced in Cameroon is the plantain.

Plantains are produced for both national consumption and export. It is therefore prepared and consumed in a number of different ways. Even so, research has shown that ripe plantains have certain advantages over unripe ones. They are soft and sweet and can either v be simply boiled or fried. As might be expected, ripe plantains cost more that unripe ones. Where, for example, a bunch of unripe plantains costs 4000 Frs., the same bunch when ripe can fetch from between 5000 Frs. and 6000 Frs. By the same token, ripe plantains are in greater demand than unripe ones.

Nonetheless, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has sounded the alarm bells to the effect that buyers of ripe plantains should be more vigilant. This note of warning was struck following an investigation carried out by thee National Bilingual Daly, CAMEROON TRIBUNE. According to the report, some plantain sellers use unorthodox methods to forcefully ripen their plantains before selling them to unsuspecting buyers. They do this by applying a chemical known as `Mat`. Sellers mix the product with water and then spray it on the unripe plantains which then ripen within just a day or two.

The publication warns that dealers have code-named the chemical, “Marie Claire”, probably because of its clear and colourless nature that makes it look like ordinary water. It is widely available, especially as it has been parceled into small and affordable lots for as little as CFA500 Frs.

The sub Director for the Regulation of Pesticides, Fertilizers and Treatment Equipment in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development advices “the product is of a highly toxic nature and cannot be used outside of the context of the pineapple for which it was homologated, without showing any dangers for the health of the consumer”.

He further said the chemical contains a growth hormone which gives off ethylene as it decomposes under the effect of heat. Ethylene, he explains, is a toxic and inflammable gas whose random use can be harmful. Other risks associated with it are intoxication of humans and pollution of the environment.

FOOTNOTE

This paper was first broadcast on FOUNDATION RADIO, FM 100, The Voce of the Voiceless, Mile 6, Ngomgham-Mankon, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon, on the 10^th of September 2013. The radio is part of The Fomunyoh Foundation (TFF) whose CEO is Dr. Chris Fomunyoh.