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A study carried out by the Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has revealed as high as 50% increase in the concentration of metals such as Zinc and Iron in some mechanically milled fufu samples which impose high risk of health issues on individuals
The research was carried out in five communities around the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technol- ogy (KNUST) in the Kumasi Metropolis.
The communities are Ayigya, Ayeduase, Bomso, Kentikrono and Kotei. These places were selected because of their high patronage by the KNUST community.
Though from the research the Estimated Daily Intake of Metals such as Zinc and Iron was lower than the International Food Standards
they warn overindulgence in fufu may result in the accumulation of these metals in the body, which though are essential, may result in unwanted effects with prolonged exposure.
Therefore the research carried out on residents of aforementioned communities indicate that daily exposure is unlikely to pose adverse non-carcinogenic effect on human health due to these heavy metals. Therefore, at the current consumption rate, heavy metals do not pose any considerable individual or combined health risk to the consumers in the studied communities. However, it should be noted that prolonged consumption could lead to extreme accumulation of Zn and Fe in the body and cause related health problems. Residents living in these communities and other neighbouring communities should be encouraged not to consume large quantities of milled fufu per day to minimize or avoid excessive accumulation of these potentially toxic heavy metals.
