ISHS Acta Horticulturae 380: Symposium on Tropical Root Crops in a Developping Economy
ISSUES OF CASSAVA CYANIDE: NIGERIA'S EXPERIENCE |
| Author: | G.O. Obigbesan |
| Abstract:
During the second half of 1989, there were alarming and disturbing media reports on food poisoning in Nigeria, particularly relating to instant deaths allegedly resulting from eating certain cassava-based meals. To examine the effects that such reports could have on consumers, the cassava-based industry, and the economy of Nigeria, a national workshop was convened during 14–15 December 1989 by the University of Ibadan and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. Participants included officials from Nigeria's Federal and State Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Natural Resources, prominent cassava farmers and various experts comprising plant breeders, agronomists, food processors, biochemists, toxicologists, medical doctors, social health workers, and journalists. The workshop focused attention on the cyanide content of fresh and processed cassava products in relation to toxic levels in man and animals, and reviewed the available data on existing cassava germplasm, cassava production, processing, and utilization. It also examined the case studies relating to the reported deaths following cassava meals in various locations in the country. In the light of the information presented, the workshop concluded, among others, that the current traditional methods of processing cassava in Nigeria are sufficiently good to reduce the cyanide contents of cassava products to below acute toxic level. The workshop also resolved through critical review of case studies that there was no conclusive evidence to show that recent reported deaths were due to cyanide in gari. | |
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