The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has expressed concern over the rising prevalence of adulterated and contaminated foods in the markets.
Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, the acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, made this statement in Abuja on Thursday, highlighting that some traders are engaging in various forms of adulteration without considering the health implications for consumers.
Abdullahi was speaking at a one-day sensitization event for traders, farmers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the public, focusing on issues such as forceful ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat, and grains.
He emphasized the need for a healthier society in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the Commission is empowered by its founding Acts to remove fake and adulterated products from the markets to protect consumers.
“We must renew the hope of our people to be alive and healthy first. We have allowed the love of money to supersede everything that we do,” Abdullahi stated. “We will go to the markets to sensitize the traders, educate the public and sellers that adulterated and fake products are not allowed in the markets, and if they are seen, they should be reported.”
The Commission plans to conduct market visits across states and grassroots areas to uncover any fraudulent practices and ensure a healthier society. Mr. Femi Stephen from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare explained that adulteration involves adding substandard substances that have similar properties to the foodstuff they are mixed with.
Regarding palm oil adulteration, Stephen mentioned that it is often mixed with dye, lard (animal fat from pork), and transformer oil (paraffin). He highlighted the health risks associated with adulteration, including abdominal pain, nausea, brain damage, stomach disorders, cardiac arrest, liver disease, and breathing difficulties.
Stephen advised farmers to seek guidance from experts when applying pesticides to avoid poisoning. Dr. Promise Ogbonna from the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) warned against the forceful ripening of fruits, stating that calcium carbide used for this purpose contains arsenic and phosphorus, which are carcinogenic.
Dr. Edozie Ugwu, the Vice-President of the North Central National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), commended the FCCPC for its efforts in sensitizing the public. He stressed the need for market associations to collaborate with the Commission and other government agencies to ensure that traders found guilty of adulteration face appropriate penalties.
“We intend to take this back and sensitize our traders on the importance of avoiding these adulterated foods. We plead that this be extended to various markets,” Ugwu added.
Various market associations, including market women associations and members of the Food and Hygiene Association of Nigeria, were present at the event.
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