NAFDAC Discovers Toxic Pesticides in Beans

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about the health risks associated with the circulation and misuse of banned pesticides, following the detection of chemical residues above permitted safety limits in some samples of beans.

The agency disclosed that it seized banned agrochemicals worth more than ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025, while a separate operation in Kebbi State led to the interception of 67,428 litres of paraquat, a prohibited pesticide, alongside banned atrazine products.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, raised the concerns during a media briefing on pesticide use in agricultural produce in Lagos, where she said the agency was intensifying surveillance, enforcement and public education to eliminate banned, unregistered, falsified and improperly used pesticides from the Nigerian market.

“NAFDAC is not against the responsible use of pesticides. Rather, the agency seeks to ensure that pesticides sold or used in Nigeria are safe, approved and compliant with regulatory requirements,” Adeyeye said.

She warned that although pesticides were important for crop protection and agricultural production, excessive use, improper application and failure to observe prescribed waiting periods before harvesting could expose farmers, consumers and the environment to harmful chemicals.

“Improper pesticide use can cause serious health problems, including death. Some effects may not appear immediately but can develop gradually over time,” she said.

Adeyeye said a recent market study detected pyrethroid and dimethoate residues above applicable safety limits in some bean samples, raising concerns about the use of agricultural chemicals to preserve harvested produce.

She explained that dimethoate was not approved for preserving harvested beans against pests such as weevils, stressing that chemicals permitted for field application could not automatically be used for post-harvest treatment.

Although certain pyrethroids may be used for post-harvest storage under approved conditions, she said users must comply with the prescribed safety requirements, including observing the recommended waiting period before consumption.

The NAFDAC chief identified common forms of pesticide misuse as applying chemicals in quantities above recommended levels, using products on crops or against pests for which they were not approved, harvesting before the required pre-harvest interval and mixing products improperly.

Other dangerous practices include storing pesticides alongside food, animal feed or household items, reusing empty pesticide containers for domestic purposes and improperly disposing of chemical residues and containers.

“Food safety begins on the farm,” Adeyeye said, urging farmers to purchase approved products, follow label instructions, apply recommended quantities and observe safety precautions.

NAFDAC intensifies enforcement
Providing details of enforcement operations, Adeyeye said the agency seized banned agrochemicals worth more than ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025.

She added that between September 2024 and July 2026, enforcement operations in the North-West Zone resulted in the seizure, interception or recovery of 2,974 cartons of pesticides containing paraquat, with an estimated value of ₦148.7 million.

Another 120 cartons of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, valued at more than ₦17 million, were intercepted during the same period.

In a separate operation in Kebbi State, NAFDAC intercepted 5,619 cartons containing 67,428 litres of paraquat and 500 cartons of atrazine products.

The agency also sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, in July 2026. According to Adeyeye, officers discovered unlabelled products, bulk chemicals and packaging materials suspected to be linked to illicit production.

She said suspects had been arrested in connection with enforcement operations, while one case was undergoing prosecution.

Adeyeye attributed the continued circulation of prohibited pesticides partly to illegal imports and cross-border movements, noting that banned products could enter Nigeria through neighbouring countries and unauthorised supply channels.

“These interceptions after the effective date of the ban indicate that the challenge extends beyond residual stocks to illegal importation, unauthorised local production and distribution,” she said.

She disclosed that the phase-out periods for pesticides containing paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine ended on January 1, 2026, meaning the chemicals could no longer legally be manufactured, imported, distributed, sold or used in Nigeria under the completed regulatory measures.

According to her, NAFDAC reviewed registered pesticide active ingredients in 2022, using scientific evidence, its Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System database, and input from relevant experts and stakeholders. The review considered risks to human health and the environment, as well as applicable national regulations and international requirements.

Adeyeye also said the agency had restricted the 100ml pack size of dichlorvos, prohibiting its importation, manufacture and sale in open markets and supermarkets because of concerns about its misuse on agricultural produce and its use in suicide. Other permitted pack sizes remain subject to applicable regulatory controls.

“No business interest or desire for profit will justify the illegal importation, distribution or sale of banned or non-compliant pesticides,” she said.

Agency expands public education
To reduce the risks associated with improper pesticide use, Adeyeye said NAFDAC had trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers on the responsible handling and application of agricultural chemicals.

She added that the agency was expanding its investigation and enforcement zonal offices from three to six to improve regulatory coverage across the country.

Other measures include the registration and scientific assessment of pesticide products before market entry, inspection of manufacturing and storage facilities, border checks, market surveillance, laboratory testing and enforcement against businesses involved in illegal production and distribution.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC also offered free interim testing for export products to encourage compliance with safety standards and reduce the risk of consignments being rejected in destination countries because of pesticide residues or other regulatory violations.

She urged manufacturers and importers to ensure that their products met regulatory requirements, while distributors and agro-input dealers were advised to obtain pesticides only through legitimate channels.

Farmers were also urged to purchase chemicals from recognised agro-input dealers, read and follow product labels, use only recommended quantities and observe the prescribed waiting periods before harvesting.

The Deputy Director of Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products at NAFDAC, Dr Idayat Mudshiru, said sustained engagement with farmers and other stakeholders remained critical to preventing pesticide misuse.

“NAFDAC continues to engage farmers and relevant stakeholders on the responsible use and application of pesticide products,” Mudshiru said.

She added that the agency was working with industry stakeholders, including CropLife, to improve public awareness and promote the safe handling and application of pesticides.

“The advocacy and education efforts are ongoing,” she said.

NAFDAC said it would sustain enforcement, public education and stakeholder engagement to ensure agricultural chemicals were used in accordance with safety requirements and that food reaching Nigerian households met applicable standards.