A woman has been arrested at the Madina Market for allegedly selling unapproved chemicals suspected to be used to artificially ripen bananas and plantains.
The arrest was made on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, by a task force from the Madina-La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the Madina Police and the Environmental Health Unit.
According to a report by adomonline.com on August 19, 2026, the operation followed concerns raised by traders during an engagement with the Assembly on August 12, 2026, over the alleged use of chemicals to speed up the ripening of fruits and other farm produce.
Some traders specifically mentioned bananas and plantains, prompting the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Ibrahim Fialla, to direct the Environmental Health Unit to investigate the allegations.
Speaking on the matter, Fialla said the Assembly would intensify its monitoring of the market and conduct a wider search to identify persons involved in the sale or use of unapproved substances.
“We will intensify the monitoring and conduct a wider search of the market to identify and deal with anyone found selling or using unapproved substances,” he said.
He said the exercise would also determine the extent of the alleged practice and ensure that any unapproved substances found are removed from the market.
According to him, the Assembly would combine enforcement with education to help traders understand the dangers associated with using unapproved chemicals on food.
The trader who initially raised the alarm also claimed that her son fell ill after consuming bananas suspected to have been treated with the substance.
She said the child was taken for medical treatment and has since been discharged.
There is, however, no confirmed evidence linking the child’s illness to the suspected chemical, as such a connection would have to be established through appropriate medical and laboratory tests.
Some traders have since called for surveillance to be extended to other fruit markets, urging the Assembly and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to investigate whether similar practices are occurring elsewhere.
Fialla urged traders and consumers to remain calm and avoid actions that could create unnecessary fear and panic.
He stressed the need for cooperation among traders, environmental health officers, the police and other relevant agencies to identify and address potentially unsafe practices.
The FDA has also assured the public that measures are being taken to address the concerns.
Until investigations and laboratory tests are completed, consumers are advised not to assume that all bananas or plantains sold at the Madina Market or elsewhere have been treated with chemicals.
