Decades after Minister Louis Farrakhan warned Africans about the dangers of consuming chemically altered fruits, nutritionists have issued a fresh warning against the widespread practice of washing produce with laundry detergent.
Experts say the practice which makes fruits appear cleaner and more appealing, leaves behind toxic residues that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and may contribute to long-term health issues, echoing the minister’s prophetic words.
A Warning from the Past, Echoing in the Present
ValidViewNetwork gathered that nutritionists have issued a fresh warning against the widespread practice of washing fruits with laundry detergent and other household cleaning products, a practice that, experts say, makes fruits appear cleaner but leaves behind dangerous chemical residues.
The warning comes decades after Minister Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, cautioned Africans about the dangers of consuming chemically altered fruits.
In a speech that has since become legendary, Farrakhan warned that some Africans were being deceived by the appearance of fruits that had been artificially ripened, colored, waxed, and polished to look appealing, while the chemicals used to alter them were poisoning their bodies.
“They cannot wait until the fruit is ripe,” Farrakhan warned. “They ripen it, color it, wax it, and you are eating it because it looks good, and then you start dying of different cancers.”
The Modern-Day Deception
The nutritionists’ warning suggests that Farrakhan’s prophetic words remain relevant decades later.
Dr Olufunmilola Ogunmiluyi, an Assistant Director of Nutrition and Dietetics, advised traders against using laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, soap or other household cleaning products to wash fruits.
“Detergent may make a fruit appear cleaner, but it is not meant to be eaten and can leave residues behind,” Ogunmiluyi stated.
“Traders don’t need detergent to wash our fruits. Clean, safe running water, proper hand hygiene and good handling practices are safer ways to prepare fruits for consumers.”
The Hidden Danger
Ogunmiluyi explained that detergent could remain on the surface of fruits and become trapped in cracks, bruises, cuts or other irregular areas, particularly on fruits with rough or porous skins. She noted that rinsing a fruit after washing it with detergent did not guarantee that all residues would be removed.
Swallowing detergent residue could cause gastrointestinal problems, depending on the type and quantity consumed.
“Detergent can irritate the mouth and throat and may cause a soapy taste, burning or discomfort. It can also irritate the lining of the digestive tract, potentially causing nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea,” Ogunmiluyi explained.
Farrakhan’s Prophetic Warning
Farrakhan’s warning was part of a broader critique of the global food system and its impact on African communities. He argued that the pursuit of profit had led to the chemical alteration of food, with devastating consequences for the health of those who consume it.
His words have proven remarkably prescient.
Today, the use of chemicals in food production and processing has been linked to a range of health issues, including cancer, hormonal disruption, and gastrointestinal disorders.
A Widespread Practice
The warning comes amid concerns about food-handling practices among produce traders in Nigeria.
A 2025 study involving 166 vegetable traders across nine markets in a south western Nigerian state found gaps in hygiene practices, with only 52 per cent routinely changing their washing water within four hours and fewer than one per cent having received formal food safety training.
The researchers noted that such practices could increase the risk of microbial contamination of produce.
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What Traders Should Do
Ogunmiluyi advised traders to remove rotten or badly bruised portions of fruits, wash the produce thoroughly under clean, running water and gently rub the surface before displaying it for sale.
She also urged them to wash their hands before handling fruits and keep containers and surfaces used for storing and displaying the produce clean.
“My advice to traders is for them not to confuse cleanliness with safety. Detergent may make a fruit appear cleaner, but it is not meant to be eaten and can leave residues behind,” Ogunmiluyi warned.
A Lesson for Nigerian Youths
This warning is a reminder that appearance can be deceiving.
A fruit that looks clean and shiny may be coated in chemicals that can harm your health. The same traders who use detergent to make their produce look appealing will never allow their own children to eat such fruits.
Their families are protected.
For young Nigerians, the lesson is clear: what you don’t see can hurt you.
Farrakhan’s warning from decades ago remains relevant today.
Question what you eat. Demand accountability. And never forget that your health is in your hands.
