NAFDAC Clarifies It Has No Direct Oversight Over Unbranded Palm Oil, Fufu Sold in Open Markets
Abuja — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that unbranded palm oil, fufu, and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets fall outside its direct and absolute regulatory oversight, urging state and local authorities to strengthen monitoring of such products within their jurisdictions.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, made the clarification on Monday while briefing journalists in Lagos on the agency’s ongoing efforts to tackle suspected counterfeit, adulterated, and unsafe products circulating across the country. The clarification comes amid heightened public concern and extensive social media discussion in recent weeks over alleged adulteration of everyday food items, including palm oil, yoghurt, apples, soy sauce, olive oil, chicken, fish, water, and various beverages.
Addressing specific concerns raised about fufu production, Adeyeye acknowledged reports that bleach and other chemicals harmful to human health are sometimes added during the processing of fufu and other staple foods, describing such practices as a serious public health risk. Despite these concerns, she explained that NAFDAC’s statutory powers under the NAFDAC Act primarily cover processed and packaged food products, meaning that unbranded and traditionally packaged items sold through informal market channels, including staples like palm oil and fufu, largely fall outside the agency’s direct regulatory reach. She consequently called on sub-national governments and other relevant authorities to strengthen enforcement and monitoring within their respective jurisdictions to help close this regulatory gap.
The NAFDAC DG further clarified that certain products referenced in recent public discussions, particularly imported fresh produce such as apples, grapes, and oranges, do not fall exclusively under NAFDAC’s regulatory mandate either, noting that the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) holds primary responsibility for such imported agricultural produce. She stressed the need for stronger collaboration between NAFDAC and other relevant government agencies to ensure comprehensive food safety coverage across all categories of consumer products.
On broader enforcement activity, Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC received 225 complaints regarding suspected counterfeit products in August alone, part of a consistent monthly pattern in which the agency receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians through its various reporting channels. She said these public complaints continue to provide valuable investigative leads for the agency, and urged Nigerians to channel concerns about suspected counterfeit or unsafe products through NAFDAC’s official complaint channels, including its 24-hour call centre, rather than relying solely on unverified claims circulating on social media.
Describing the fight against counterfeiting as a collective responsibility, Adeyeye said those behind fake and substandard products are not anonymous or untraceable figures, but individuals operating within ordinary communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises across the country. She maintained that tackling the problem effectively would require sustained collaboration between NAFDAC, sister regulatory agencies, sub-national governments, and the general public, as the agency continues to grapple with the scale of counterfeit and substandard products moving through both formal and informal distribution channels nationwide.
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