By Anamati Inyang
November 28, 2025
A Nigerian entrepreneur and social impact advocate, Roberta Edu, has raised serious concerns over the distribution of non–food-grade grinding machines to citizens under political empowerment schemes.
In a post shared on her Facebook page, Edu criticized the growing trend among politicians who purchase and distribute the locally fabricated grinders, warning that the machines pose severe health risks due to their unsafe material composition.
According to her, the grinders are not made with food-grade stainless steel and often release metal particles and iron into food during processing, which can be harmful to consumers.
She explained that this is why the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) does not approve them for use in certified food production environments.
Edu questioned why machines that fail basic food-safety standards are being purchased with public funds and handed out as empowerment items.
She noted that such practices contribute to Nigeria’s negative ranking in global health and safety assessments.
She further emphasized that repainting the machines does not eliminate the dangers associated with metal contamination and urged political officeholders to retrieve the units already distributed.
Edu added that a simple laboratory test on food ground with the machines would reveal alarming levels of contamination.
Roberta Edu is widely known as the founder of Moppet Foods, producers of natural and organic cereals for children.
She is also a business growth strategist with experience in digital media, production, and health advocacy in Lagos State.
Edu’s remarks have continued to generate conversations about the quality of items shared during empowerment programs and the need for stricter control by regulatory agencies to safeguard public health.
