Laboratory Scientist, Dietician adopt different postures to consumption of “Ponmo”

Prof. James Damen, National President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, has urged Nigerians to comply with the government’s directive to be wary of consuming roasted cow hide (ponmo).

This is to avoid contracting anthrax disease, he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.

The Federal Government alerted Nigerians on June 13 to the outbreak of anthrax disease in some neighboring West African countries.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.

It occurs naturally in the soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals. Human beings can get sick with anthrax if they come into contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

Anthrax is symptomatic by cough, fever, and muscle aches, and if not diagnosed and treated early, it leads to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty breathing, shock, and death.

Damen said that the government’s warning would guard against the outbreak of anthrax disease recorded in neighboring countries.

“In as much as Nigerians love eating `ponmo’, we should be careful with its consumption because one cannot rule out the migration of animals from one country to the other.

“Anyone who eats `ponmo’ from a cow that is infected with anthrax would definitely come down with the disease; so it is in our best interest not to consume `ponmo’,’’ he said.

Damen commended the government for its swift reaction in alerting Nigerians to anthrax outbreak in neighbouring countries and said measures should be put in place to address any possible outbreak in Nigeria.

Only on Saturday did a different view come from a dietician, Dr. Salami Akorede.

Akorede, Director, Dietetics Department at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun, called on NAFDAC to regulate the mode of processing cow hide into “ponmo’’ for human consumption.

He told NAN at Ile-Ife that the popular mode of burning cow hide on a naked fire to produce “ponmo’’ was deleterious to health.

He stressed that the process of burning cow hide on a naked fire made the product a potential source of cancer when consumed regularly.

“Where it is well processed, `ponmo’ is a good source of protein, water, energy, and micronutrients, which contain fiber that aids digestion.

“In producing `ponmo’, processors should regulate the exposure of the cow hide to naked fire so as to minimize the formation of nitrates on them.

“ `Ponmo’ can also serve as an alternative to meat as it is cheap and affordable.’’ Dr. Akorede told NAN.

The dietician urged consumers to ensure they took `ponmo’ alongside other protein-rich sources like meat, fish, crayfish, and soya balls to complement their protein supply.