The safety of some everyday foods sold across Nigerian markets has come under renewed attention after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) clarified the limits of its regulatory reach over traditionally packaged staples such as unbranded palm oil and fufu.
The agency said while it has responsibility for regulating processed and packaged food products, it does not have direct and absolute oversight over many unbranded food items produced, packaged and sold through informal market channels.
The clarification comes amid public concerns and online discussions about alleged adulteration of food products, including claims involving palm oil, staple foods, beverages and imported agricultural produce. NAFDAC said such concerns require scientific investigation rather than relying solely on claims circulating on social media.
Speaking during a briefing with journalists, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency had received hundreds of complaints from Nigerians reporting suspected counterfeit and unsafe products.
According to her, the agency received 225 complaints in August through its official complaint channels, adding that monthly reports from citizens generally exceed 200 cases.
Adeyeye encouraged Nigerians to use established reporting platforms provided by NAFDAC instead of depending only on social media posts when raising concerns about products.
She said complaints received through the agency’s 24-hour call centre and other channels allow officials to assess reported cases and determine whether investigations are required.
The NAFDAC chief executive said the agency was aware of recent discussions involving suspected adulteration of products such as yoghurt, palm oil, apples, soy sauce, olive oil, chicken, fish, water and other beverages.
However, she cautioned that online allegations alone cannot establish whether a product is unsafe or counterfeit, stressing that regulatory decisions must be based on laboratory analysis and official investigations.
Adeyeye said scientific evaluation remains essential because claims made online may not always provide sufficient evidence to determine the safety status of a product.
NAFDAC explained that its food regulatory responsibilities primarily cover processed and packaged food products. These duties include inspecting production facilities, collecting samples, conducting laboratory tests, monitoring compliance, investigating complaints, verifying products, carrying out recalls and taking enforcement action where violations are confirmed.
The agency also noted that the production, distribution, importation, exportation, advertisement or sale of unregistered regulated products is prohibited under relevant laws.
Where violations are established, NAFDAC said it has powers to seize affected products, order recalls and take enforcement measures against responsible operators.
However, the agency distinguished between regulated packaged products and traditionally processed foods commonly sold in open markets without formal branding or packaging.
Adeyeye raised concerns over reports of palm oil adulteration involving azo dyes and other potentially harmful contaminants, particularly in palm oil sold in traditional packaging formats.
She also referred to reports alleging that some producers of fufu and other staple foods may introduce chemicals during processing, describing such practices as a potential risk to public health.
Despite these concerns, she stated that NAFDAC does not exercise direct and absolute regulatory control over unbranded palm oil, fufu and similar traditionally packaged food items sold through open markets.
The agency consequently called for stronger involvement from state and local authorities, which it said have important roles in monitoring activities within their jurisdictions.
The development highlights the complexity of regulating Nigeria’s food supply chain, where products move through both formal commercial systems and informal markets.
While packaged foods from registered manufacturers fall clearly within regulatory structures, many traditional food products are produced and sold through smaller-scale channels involving multiple actors.
NAFDAC said addressing food safety concerns requires cooperation among government institutions responsible for different aspects of the food system.
Adeyeye also clarified that some imported agricultural products mentioned in recent public discussions do not fall exclusively under NAFDAC’s mandate.
She identified the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) as the agency responsible for regulating imported agricultural produce such as apples, grapes and oranges.
According to her, effective food safety management requires collaboration among relevant government agencies under frameworks such as the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 implementation plan.
The NAFDAC director-general also addressed concerns over the use of chemicals to artificially ripen fruits, saying the agency has taken steps since 2018 to tackle the misuse of calcium carbide.
She said measures have included restricting access to the substance, public awareness campaigns and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
The agency maintained that evidence-based investigation remains necessary before declaring any product unsafe, particularly in cases where concerns originate from public discussions or online reports.
For consumers, the agency’s message was clear: suspected unsafe products should be reported through official channels to allow proper assessment.
For regulators, the issue reflects the continuing challenge of balancing consumer protection with the realities of Nigeria’s diverse food production and distribution networks.
As food safety remains a major public health concern, the effectiveness of regulation will depend not only on enforcement by agencies but also on cooperation among producers, traders, state authorities and consumers.