The danger of Local Brews, Expert raise alarm
By Bisola Adeyemo
Health expert has raised the alarm about the dangers of consuming drinks repackaged in used bottles, say containers may contain deadly bacteria diseases.
A medical practitioner who identified himself as Dr Ogburubi Isaac revealed this while speaking with natureNature on Sunday
According to him most of the bottles using to package local drinks are picking from hospitals, markets, dumpsites, drainages, and refuse bins usually visited by scavengers.
His word,”The containers are later sold to individuals for packaging drinks like zobo, kunu, fura de nono, tiger nut drinks, palm wine agbo (herb drinks) and other local brews popularly consumed by many Nigerians.
“Those bottles are also use to package edibles like cashew nuts, groundnuts, chin-chin, cooking oils and honey
Dr Issac further explained that such containers are already exposed to deadly diseases that could put the health of consumers at risk and possibly cause an epidemic.
“Some of these bottles were used by patients who had various diseases like tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, thyroid, fever and other infections
“When those bottles are not properly sterilised, hence the high chances of disease transmission”
Therefore he urged Nigerian to ensure they know the hygienic of their seller as most are after profit
“ if you cannot make some local drinks at home, ensure you know the hygiene of your seller” he added
Meanwhile, speaking with some zobo/ kunu, seller at Nyanya, Mararaba, area 1, jabi in Abuja all admitted to sourcing their bottles from hospitals, party venues and dumpsites, but insisted on taking extra precautions to have them well sterilised.