Ogun State government says it has uncovered poisonous cattle hide and skin otherwise known as ‘Ponmo’ in some markets in the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Ronke Sokefun raised the alarm, yesterday, while addressing stakeholders and ‘Ponmo’ sellers in her office, in Abeokuta.
Warning the people against its consumption, the government said some persons were taking advantage of the gap in demand and supply to sell industrial ‘Ponmo’ laden with chemicals to the unsuspecting public.
Sokefun explained that the toxic ‘Ponmo’ is often brownish black, foul smelling, abnormally thick with layers and ridiculously cheap compared to the certified ponmo.
She said what was being sold was raw hide meant for leather production from African and European countries like Sudan, Italy and Japan.
“Tanning chemicals like biocides and fungicides are added along the processing chain to preserve the hides against protein degradation, bacteria and mould growth that would have damaged the hides and skin,” she said.
Comments