By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has sent out a general public Food Safety Alert warning after receiving complaints and verified evidence that rubber tree seeds (Hevea brasiliensis) are being fraudulently mixed with beans sold in some markets, notably in Agago District, posing a potential risk to public health.
In a public statement issued today, Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Ministry guides the public to identify the seeds in the following ways;
Beans are flat or kidney-shaped but the rubber seeds are round like a marble.
They have a shiny grey-white colour with dark brown/black spots and stripes.
They have a small white dot where they were attached to the pod.
The Ministry says these seeds are NOT FOOD and are not edible because they contain natural poison (cyanogenic glycosides) that can cause food poisoning.
If eaten raw or cooked with beans, they can cause: severe stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness, headache, weakness and diarrhoea.
Children are at higher risk and chickens and pigs can also die if they eat many.
The Ministry calls this is a case of *Food Adulteration*- accidental or intentional mixing of non-food items with food, which is illegal and dangerous.
Consumers are therefore advised to pour the beans on a flat tray and look through them before they pay, buy from trusted traders who clean their beans.
The Public is also urged to be vigilant before cooking by sorting thoroughly on a table or large plate and remove all round mottled seeds, stones, and broken beans.
Wash beans 2-3 times with clean water and please do not cook if you are not sure-take a sample to your extension worker or Health Centre.
If someone has eaten them:
-Do not wait. Go immediately to the nearest Health Centre/Hospital and carry some of the seeds to show the health workers.
Meanwhile traders are advised to never store beans in sacks that were previously used for rubber seeds or other non-food items.
Always clean and sort beans before putting them on sale.
Market leaders (SAS, Agricultural Police & Market Masters) should inspect produce regularly.
The Ministry appeals all LC1, LC2, Parish Chiefs, and VHTs to spread this message because food safety is everyone’s responsibility.
