Beans farmers cement allegation dismissed as association insists members use safe, airtight preservation methods, not harmful additives

The association’s National President, Mr Kabir Shuaibu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday that no genuine member would indulge in such harmful practices.

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“We are not aware of the use of cement for the preservation of beans,” he said. “As an association, we engage in international best practices in the preservation of beans and allied products.”

Shuaibu explained that members of the association have phased out chemical additives in favour of safer methods, including the use of thick nylon liners placed inside sacks to keep beans airtight and pest-free.

He added that only health-friendly additives such as Topstoxin are occasionally applied in controlled amounts to prevent weevils from damaging older stock. In some cases, dried peppers are sealed inside sacks to ward off pests naturally.

“It is common sense that the use of cement for bean preservation would be easily detected, and consumers would reject our produce,” Shuaibu noted. “We will never engage in such harmful practices.”

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The clarification comes amid growing concern on social media about food safety. The association reassured consumers that it remains committed to delivering quality products preserved with methods that pose no risk to human health.