The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning over the increasing circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils across markets in Nigeria.
The agency disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday, expressing concern that the products pose serious public health risks.
According to NAFDAC, brands identified in circulation include FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX and LA JONIC. The agency said the oils are being smuggled into the country and sold openly under different brand names in major markets nationwide.
NAFDAC listed affected locations to include markets in Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Warri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ikom, Calabar, Lagos (Trade Fair, Okiarin, Ikotun and Mushin), Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Yola, Gombe, Bauchi, Idiroko, Makurdi and Lafia.
The statement noted that the alert followed concerns raised by Lebruni Agro Limited, a registered Nigerian company producing edible soybean oil and palm kernel oil. The company reportedly uncovered the scale of illegal imports during an internal market surveillance.
“NAFDAC is alerting the public to the incessant importation and circulation of some substandard and unregistered edible oils in Nigeria,” the agency stated.
It added that the listed products have no identifiable manufacturers, lack NAFDAC registration numbers and are not captured in the agency’s regulatory database.
“The sources, production processes and safety standards of these adulterated and unregulated edible oils remain unknown,” NAFDAC said, warning that their consumption could endanger public health.
The agency urged consumers, traders and distributors to be vigilant and advised members of the public to report any suspected substandard or unregistered edible oil to the nearest NAFDAC office.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and intensifying surveillance, enforcement and regulatory actions against the illegal importation and sale of unregistered food products in the country.
