The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning on the growing circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils in markets across the country.
This was contained in a statement posted on the agency’s X handle on Tuesday. It disclosed that the products identified include FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX and LA JONIC are being snuggled into Nigeria and sold openly in major markets in Onitsha, Abandoned, Owerri and Warri.
Other areas the products have been found to be solid included Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ikom, Calabar, Lagos (Trade Fair, Okearin, Ilorin and Mushin).
Also the products were found in Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Maidugugri, Yola, Gombe, Bay hi, Idioro, Makurdi and Lafia.
According to NAFDAC, the oils, whose sources, production processes and safety standards are unknown.
The statement read: “NAFDAC is alerting the public to the incessant importation and circulation of some substandard and unregistered edible oils in Nigeria.
“Lebruni Agro Limited, a duly registered Nigerian company that manufactures hygienically processed edible soybean oil (Liorga oil) and palm kernel oil, raised concerns about the persistent importation and circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils in Nigeria.
“Lebruni Agro Limited raised this concern following an internal market surveillance made by the company, which identified various brands currently in circulation
“These brands include, and are not limited to: FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX, and LA JONIC, all of which maintain warehousing facilities to support their illegal distribution network.
“The above-listed brands of adulterated and unregulated edible oils, whose sources, production processes, and safety standards remain unknown, are being smuggled into Nigeria. And are openly circulating and have flooded the market under different brand names, particularly in Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Warri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ikom, Calabar, Lagos (tradefair, Okiarin, Ikotun, Mushin), Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Yola, Gombe, Bauchi, Idiroka, Makurdi and Lafia.”
NAFDAC disclosed that the products carry no identifiable manufacturer details or NAFDAC registration numbers and are absent from its regulatory database. It, therefore, urged members of the public to report suspected substandard or unregistered edible oils to any NAFDAC office.
The statement added, “It is also evident that these products have no identifiable manufacturer identities or NAFDAC Registration Numbers in Nigeria.
“These products are obviously not registered by NAFDAC and are not available on the NAFDAC database.
“Please report any suspected substandard or unregistered edible oil to the nearest NAFDAC office.”