ABUJA — 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 tackle suspected counterfeit, adulterated and unsafe products in circulation across the country.

Adeyeye also disclosed that the agency received 225 complaints about suspected counterfeit products in August, adding 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 counterfeiters through the agency’s official complaint channels rather than relying solely on social media to raise concerns about products.

“Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,” she said.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC’s 24-hour call centre and other complaint channels enable the agency to assess complaints and determine whether further investigation is required.

She said the agency was aware of concerns over suspected adulterated, counterfeit and unsafe food products following recent media 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 that 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.

Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC’s regulatory mandate over food primarily covers processed and packaged products, including establishment inspection, sampling, laboratory analysis, compliance monitoring, post-market surveillance, complaint investigation, product verification, recall and enforcement.

She added that the production, distribution, importation, exportation, advertisement, sale or use of unregistered regulated products was unlawful under the NAFDAC Act and other applicable laws.

According to her, the agency can seize, recall or dispose of affected products and take enforcement action where violations are established.

Palm oil, fufu concerns

Adeyeye, however, raised concerns over the alleged adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other hazardous contaminants, particularly palm oil 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 expressed concern over reports of chemicals 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 the concerns, Adeyeye said NAFDAC did not have “direct and absolute regulatory oversight” over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets.

She consequently urged sub-national governments and relevant authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement within their jurisdictions.

Imported fruits

The NAFDAC DG also clarified that some products mentioned in recent reports, particularly imported agricultural produce, do not fall exclusively under the agency’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 said the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 implementation plan provide a framework for such inter-agency coordination.

She also said NAFDAC had been tackling the unethical ripening of fruits since 2018 through restrictions on the availability of calcium carbide, public enlightenment and engagement with relevant stakeholders.