Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed that his wife, Dolapo, discovered through laboratory testing that the freshly squeezed orange juice she consumed daily was "not fit for human consumption." He shared the incident while speaking at the Open Day for Gardeners' Seminar themed "Leaving the Earth Better Than We Found It," held in Lagos on August 28, 2026.
Wife's Health Scare Traced to Daily Juice
Osinbajo recounted that Dolapo began experiencing strange headaches every few days despite adhering to what she considered a healthy lifestyle, which included drinking a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice each day. After reviewing her diet without finding an obvious cause, she decided to send a batch of the juice to a laboratory for testing.
The test result, according to Osinbajo, showed that the juice was "not fit for human consumption." The discovery raised concerns about the chemicals some farmers and traders use to ripen or preserve fruits and vegetables.
Chemicals in Produce: A Growing Concern
Osinbajo cited studies and surveys that found some fruit sellers admitted to using substances such as calcium carbide and other toxic chemicals on their produce. He warned Nigerians not to assume that food is safe simply because it appears fresh or because a drink is labeled natural.
"The fact that fruit looks fresh doesn't mean that it is safe," he said during the event.
Call for Stronger Regulation and Consumer Vigilance
The former vice president called for stronger regulation and enforcement in the food supply chain. He urged farmers and traders to adopt safer practices and encouraged consumers to ask questions, properly wash produce, and report suspicious practices.
Osinbajo also stressed that Nigerians have a role to play in their communities by speaking up and pushing for safer food practices. He emphasized that collective action is necessary to ensure that what reaches the table is genuinely safe for human consumption.
