The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it does not have direct and absolute regulatory oversight over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the agency’s efforts to combat suspected counterfeit, adulterated and unsafe products across the country.
Adeyeye said the agency received 225 complaints about suspected counterfeit products in August, noting that NAFDAC receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians every month through its various reporting channels.
“We received over 200 complaints from Nigerians monthly; in August, we received 225 calls through NAFDAC complaint channel,” she said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The NAFDAC boss urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit products through the agency’s official complaint channels rather than relying solely on social media to raise concerns.
“Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,” she said.
She explained that NAFDAC’s 24-hour call centre and other complaint channels allow the agency to assess reports and determine whether further investigation is necessary.
Adeyeye said the agency was aware of concerns over suspected adulterated, counterfeit and unsafe food products following recent reports and social media discussions involving yoghurt, palm oil, apples, soy sauce, olive oil, chicken, fish, water and beverages.
She, however, cautioned that social media allegations alone could not establish whether a product was counterfeit or unsafe, stressing the importance of 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.
NAFDAC’s Regulatory Mandate
According to Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s regulatory responsibilities in the food sector primarily cover processed and packaged products. These include establishment inspection, product sampling, laboratory analysis, compliance monitoring, post-market surveillance, complaint investigation, product verification, product recalls and enforcement.
She added that the production, distribution, importation, exportation, advertisement, sale or use of unregistered regulated products is unlawful under the NAFDAC Act and other applicable laws.
Where violations are established, she said the agency has the authority to seize, recall or dispose of affected products and take appropriate enforcement action.
Concerns Over Palm Oil and Fufu
Adeyeye expressed concern over the alleged adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other hazardous contaminants, particularly 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.
She also raised concerns over reports that chemicals are being added to staple foods during production.
“Fufu and other staple foods are also reported to be produced by adding bleach and other chemicals injurious to human health,” she said.
Despite these concerns, Adeyeye reiterated that NAFDAC does not have “direct and absolute regulatory oversight” over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets.
She therefore called on state and local authorities, as well as other relevant agencies, to strengthen monitoring and enforcement within their jurisdictions.
Imported Fruits Under Other Agencies
The NAFDAC DG also clarified that some products mentioned in recent reports, particularly imported agricultural produce, do not fall exclusively under NAFDAC’s regulatory mandate.
She said the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) is responsible for imported agricultural produce such as apples, grapes and oranges, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among relevant government agencies.
Adeyeye noted that the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 implementation plan provide a framework for inter-agency coordination on food safety.
She also disclosed that NAFDAC has been addressing the unethical ripening of fruits since 2018 through restrictions on the availability of calcium carbide, public enlightenment campaigns and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
