The Ogun State government, raised an alarm over the discovery of poisonous cattle hide and skin otherwise known as ‘Ponmo’ in some markets in the state, warning the people against its consumption.

The government said some unscrupulous
businessmen were taking advantage of the gap in
demand and supply of the soup ingredient popularly
called ‘Ponmo’ to sell industrial ‘Ponmo’ laden with
tanning chemicals to the unsuspecting public.

The state commissioner for Agriculture, Ronke
Sokefun raised the alarm, yesterday, while
addressing stakeholders and ‘Ponmo’ sellers in her
office, in Abeokuta.

Sokefun explained that the toxic ‘Ponmo’ otherwise
known as ‘imported ponmo’ is often brownish black,
foul smelling, abnormally thick with layers and
ridiculously cheap compared to the certified ponmo.

According to her, what is being sold is raw hide
meant for leather production from African and
European countries like Sudan, Italy and Japan.

“Tanning chemicals like biocides and fungicides are
added along the processing chain to preserve the
hides against protein degradation, bacteria and
mould growth that would have damaged the hides
and skin,” she said.