Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has clarified that its regulatory authority does not extend directly to unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets across Nigeria. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known on Monday, September 7, 2026, while briefing journalists in Abuja on the agency's efforts to tackle suspected counterfeit, adulterated and unsafe products in circulation. Adeyeye explained that the agency'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.
Despite the clarification, Adeyeye raised serious concerns over the alleged adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other hazardous contaminants, particularly products packaged and sold in traditional forms in open markets. She also expressed worry over reports that fufu and other staple foods are being produced with bleach and other chemicals injurious to human health. However, she maintained that NAFDAC does not have "direct and absolute regulatory oversight" over these unbranded products. She consequently urged sub-national governments and relevant authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement within their jurisdictions.
The NAFDAC boss also cautioned against relying solely on social media narratives to establish that a product is counterfeit or unsafe, stressing the importance of scientific testing and regulatory investigation. She said the agency received 225 complaints about suspected counterfeit products in August alone, noting that NAFDAC receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians every month through its various reporting channels. She urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeiters through the agency's official complaint channels rather than relying solely on social media. "Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises," she said. Adeyeye added that the production, distribution, importation, exportation, advertisement, sale or use of unregistered regulated products is unlawful under the NAFDAC Act and other applicable laws.
In a related development, NAFDAC disclosed that between May and July 2026, its Post-Market Surveillance Directorate visited 6,233 facilities nationwide and removed 7,210 non-compliant products from circulation. The agency also secured the conviction of 64 counterfeiters during the period. The agency said food and water products accounted for the highest volume of removals (3,633), followed by drugs and herbals (2,459) and cosmetics (911). NAFDAC also recalled its long-running campaign against the use of calcium carbide for artificial fruit ripening, which began in 2018, and expressed "grave concern" over the adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and hazardous chemicals.
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