Abuja/Lagos — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns about the adulteration of palm oil with hazardous azo dyes and the use of bleach and other harmful chemicals in the production of fufu and other staple foods, warning that these practices pose significant risks to public health.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the disclosure during a media briefing on Monday while addressing the agency’s ongoing efforts against counterfeit, adulterated, and unsafe products circulating in the country.
“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,” Adeyeye said. “Fufu and other staple foods are also reported to be produced by adding bleach and other chemicals injurious to human health.”
Azo dyes, including banned industrial substances such as Sudan dyes, are synthetic colourants not approved for food use. They are often added by unscrupulous traders to enhance the red colour and visual appeal of palm oil sold in open markets.
Long-term consumption of these substances has been linked to serious health problems, including cancer, liver and kidney damage, and other organ toxicities.
Similarly, reports indicate that some producers of fufu (also known as akpu), a popular cassava-based staple, add bleach, detergents, potash, or other chemicals to accelerate fermentation, soften the product, or increase volume for higher profits. These additives can cause gastrointestinal distress, liver damage, and potentially cancerous effects over time.
Adeyeye clarified that while NAFDAC maintains strong regulatory powers over processed and packaged foods—including inspection, laboratory analysis, post-market surveillance, seizures, recalls, and prosecutions—it does not have “direct and absolute regulatory oversight” over unbranded palm oil, fufu, and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets.
Responsibility for monitoring these products, she stressed, largely falls to state and local government authorities.
She urged sub-national governments to intensify surveillance and enforcement within their jurisdictions, noting that the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 implementation plan provide a framework for better coordination among agencies.
The warning comes amid heightened public anxiety following recent media reports and social media discussions about suspected adulterated foods, including yoghurt, palm oil, fruits, and other consumables. Adeyeye cautioned that social media claims alone cannot confirm a product is unsafe, emphasising the need for scientific laboratory verification.
“Social media allegations do not, by themselves, establish that a product is counterfeit, adulterated, or unsafe,” the agency stated in related comments. Where investigations confirm violations, NAFDAC takes decisive action, including public alerts, product seizures, disposal, and prosecution of offenders.
In recent months, the agency has demonstrated strong enforcement capacity. Between May and July 2026 alone, NAFDAC’s post-market surveillance teams visited 6,233 facilities nationwide and removed 7,210 non-compliant products from circulation. The agency has also secured 64 convictions of counterfeiters, with prison sentences ranging from one to seven years without the option of a fine.
Adeyeye encouraged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit or adulterated products through official NAFDAC channels rather than relying solely on social media. The agency’s complaint lines include 0700-1-NAFDAC (0700-1-623322) for enquiries and 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322) for complaints. Its 24-hour call centre receives over 200 complaints monthly, providing critical leads for investigations.
Consumers are advised to exercise caution when purchasing palm oil and fufu from open markets. For palm oil, genuine products typically have a natural deep orange-red colour and a characteristic fruity aroma.
Unusually bright or sticky oils, or those producing excessive black smoke when heated, should raise suspicion. Buying from trusted, established sources and, where possible, opting for NAFDAC-registered packaged products can help reduce risk.
Food safety remains a shared responsibility involving regulators, producers, state authorities, and consumers, Adeyeye emphasised. “Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,” she said, calling for collective vigilance to protect public health.
NAFDAC continues its broader campaigns against other unsafe practices, including the artificial ripening of fruits with calcium carbide, while strengthening collaboration with sister agencies such as the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service for imported produce.
Nigerians are urged to remain alert, prioritise verified information, and support regulatory efforts to keep dangerous products off the nation’s tables.
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