The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has raised fresh concerns over reports of hazardous substances being added to palm oil and staple foods such as fufu, while admitting that many unbranded products sold in open markets fall outside its direct and absolute regulatory oversight.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the agency’s efforts to tackle suspected counterfeit, adulterated and unsafe products circulating across Nigeria.
The development comes at a time when there are concerns over the safety of several food products, including palm oil, fufu, yoghurt, fruits, chicken, fish, water and beverages.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC had received more than 200 complaints from Nigerians every month, with 225 complaints recorded through the agency’s channels in August alone.
“We received over 200 complaints from Nigerians monthly; in August we received 225 calls through NAFDAC complaint channel,” she said.
The NAFDAC boss urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit and unsafe products directly to the agency instead of relying solely on social media allegations.
“Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,” she said.
Adeyeye, however, cautioned that viral social media claims alone could not conclusively establish that a product was counterfeit, adulterated or unsafe without proper scientific testing and regulatory investigation.
“The strength of the publication could have been enhanced by a proper scientific evaluation rather than relying primarily on emotionally driven and perhaps commercially motivated social media narratives,” she said.
The NAFDAC DG expressed particular concern over reports of palm oil being adulterated with azo dyes and other potentially hazardous substances, especially products packaged and sold in traditional forms in open markets.
“The adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other hazardous contaminants has been observed, particularly in palm oil packaged and presented in traditional forms,” she said.
Adeyeye also raised the alarm over reports that chemicals, including bleach, were allegedly being added during the production of fufu and other staple foods.
“Fufu and other staple foods are also reported to be produced by adding bleach and other chemicals injurious to human health,” she said.
Despite the concerns, the NAFDAC boss said the agency does not have “direct and absolute regulatory oversight” over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets.
She consequently called on state and local authorities, as well as other relevant government agencies, to strengthen monitoring and enforcement within their jurisdictions.
Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC’s regulatory responsibilities mainly cover processed and packaged products, including establishment inspections, laboratory analysis, compliance monitoring, post-market surveillance, complaint investigations, product verification, recalls and enforcement.
She stressed that the production, importation, distribution, advertisement, sale or use of unregistered regulated products remains unlawful under the NAFDAC Act and other applicable laws.
Where violations are established, she said the agency has the power to seize, recall or dispose of affected products and take appropriate enforcement action.
The NAFDAC DG also clarified that some agricultural products mentioned in recent reports, particularly imported fruits, do not fall exclusively under the agency’s jurisdiction.
According to her, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, is responsible for regulating imported agricultural produce such as apples, grapes and oranges.
She stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies responsible for food safety and quality.
Adeyeye added that NAFDAC had been working since 2018 to tackle the unethical ripening of fruits, including through restrictions on calcium carbide, public awareness campaigns and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
The agency’s latest disclosure has once again thrown the spotlight on the safety of food products commonly purchased by millions of Nigerians in open markets, particularly unbranded items whose production and distribution may not fall under direct regulatory supervision.
