Health Alert: Fish Sellers Allegedly Use Industrial Dye to Mask Spoiled Seafood

Some fish sellers in Nigerian markets are allegedly using industrial red dyes on the gills of day-old or spoiled fish to make the seafood appear freshly caught. Health experts warn that the dyes may contain toxic compounds and heavy metals that can cause food poisoning and long-term damage to the liver and kidneys. Consumers are advised not to rely only on bright-red gills when buying fish. They should also check for a natural smell, firm flesh and clear eyes. Fish whose colour runs pink or red when rinsed in water should be discarded. Traders and consumers link the practice partly to the rising cost of electricity, ice and refrigeration. They are calling for stronger market inspections and affordable cold-storage facilities, including solar-powered options, to protect buyers and support honest sellers.

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