Osinbajo reveals wife’s orange juice failed lab test, warns of chemical epidemic

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has revealed that laboratory analysis of his wife Dolapo’s freshly squeezed orange juice returned results showing it was “not fit for human consumption,” prompting him to warn of a nationwide epidemic of hazardous chemicals used by farmers and fruit sellers.

Speaking at the “Leaving The Earth Better Than We Found It” Gardeners’ Seminar in Lagos, Osinbajo said his wife developed unexplained headaches after switching from carbonated drinks to daily fresh orange juice.

After ruling out other causes, she sent samples for testing.

“The results came back. It showed that the orange juice, freshly squeezed, was not fit for human consumption. This is freshly squeezed orange juice. Not fit for human consumption,” Osinbajo said.

He traced the contamination to the widespread use of ripening and preservation chemicals—especially calcium carbide—on fruits such as bananas, mangoes and tomatoes.

Citing multiple studies, he noted that 50% of 20 fruit sellers interviewed in one 2024 study admitted using calcium carbide, while another study put usage at 25%.

A 2023 Lagos survey of 50 retailers found 22 more than half admitted using chemicals to preserve produce.

“So, this is almost, you know, like an epidemic. The substances that they named, that they use, aside from calcium carbide, include gamma-lin-20, which, as you know, is poison, sniper, phosphite. Phosphite is a highly toxic fumigant,” he said.

Osinbajo stressed that appearance is no longer a reliable safety indicator.

“The fact that fruit looks fresh doesn’t mean that it is safe, and the fact that a drink is natural doesn’t mean that something dangerous has not been added to it along the way, especially along the journey from the farm to the table,” he said.

He called for stronger regulation and enforcement, public education for farmers and traders on safer alternatives, and urged consumers to question sellers, inspect produce and report suspicious practices.