The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert, warning Nigerians about the incessant importation and circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils in some parts of the country.
This follows concerns raised by Lebruni Agro Limited, a duly registered Nigerian company that manufactures hygienically processed edible soybean oil (Liorga oil) and palm kernel oil.
The company reported persistent importation and widespread circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils across the country.
According to Lebruni Agro Limited, the concerns emerged after an internal market surveillance conducted by the company identified several brands currently in circulation.
These brands include, but are not limited to FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX and LA JONIC, all of which reportedly maintain warehousing facilities that support an illegal distribution network.
NAFDAC disclosed that the listed brands of adulterated and unregulated edible oils have unknown sources, production processes and safety standards. The products are allegedly being smuggled into Nigeria and openly circulated under different brand names, flooding major markets across the country.
Areas where the products are prevalent include Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Warri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ikom, Calabar, Lagos (Tradefair, Okiarin, Ikotun and Mushin), Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Yola, Gombe, Bauchi, Idiroka, Makurdi and Lafia.
The agency further noted that the products have no identifiable manufacturer information or NAFDAC Registration Numbers in Nigeria, adding that they are not registered and are not listed on the NAFDAC database.
The agency urged members of the public to report any suspected substandard or unregistered edible oil to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322.
