RismadarVoice Reporters
September 8, 2026
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it does not exercise direct and absolute regulatory control 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 curb the circulation of suspected counterfeit, adulterated and unsafe products across the country.
According to her, the agency received 225 complaints relating to suspected counterfeit products in August, noting 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).
Adeyeye urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit products through NAFDAC’s official complaint channels instead of relying solely on social media to draw attention to such concerns.
“Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,” she said.
She explained that NAFDAC’s 24-hour call centre and other complaint platforms allow the agency to evaluate complaints and determine whether further investigation is necessary.
The NAFDAC boss said the agency was aware of recent concerns over allegedly adulterated, counterfeit and unsafe food products following 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 claims alone were insufficient to establish whether a product was counterfeit or unsafe, stressing that scientific testing and regulatory investigation were necessary.
“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 said NAFDAC’s food regulatory responsibilities primarily cover processed and packaged food products.
These responsibilities, she explained, include inspection of establishments, product sampling, laboratory analysis, compliance monitoring, post-market surveillance, investigation of complaints, product verification, recalls and enforcement.
She added that the production, distribution, importation, exportation, advertisement, sale or use of unregistered regulated products is prohibited under the NAFDAC Act and other relevant laws.
Where violations are established, she said the agency has the authority to seize, recall or dispose of affected products and take appropriate enforcement measures.
Adeyeye expressed concern over reports of palm oil being adulterated with azo dyes and other potentially hazardous substances, particularly when the oil is packaged and sold through traditional means 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 raised concerns over reports that chemicals are sometimes 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 these concerns, the NAFDAC director-general reiterated that the agency does not have “direct and absolute regulatory oversight” over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets.
She therefore called on state and local authorities, as well as other relevant agencies, to strengthen monitoring and enforcement within their respective jurisdictions.
Adeyeye also clarified that some products mentioned in recent reports, particularly imported agricultural produce, fall under the responsibilities of other government agencies as well.
She identified the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) as the agency responsible for imported agricultural produce such as apples, grapes and oranges, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among agencies responsible for food safety.
According to her, the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 implementation plan provide a framework for inter-agency cooperation on food safety matters.
She further said NAFDAC had been addressing the unethical ripening of fruits since 2018 through measures including restrictions on the availability of calcium carbide, public enlightenment and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
