Market dealers and sellers have raised an alarm over fake and adulterated palm oil now selling in markets across Nigeria.
According to reports, the product has already infiltrated markets in six states of Nigeria – Imo, Lagos, Yobe, Oyo, Ogun, and Plateau states – and is still spreading to other states.
Stakeholders say these products appear to be selling rapidly as Nigerians seek cheaper alternatives in the face of high food inflation.
The price of palm oil surged 120%, from N5000 – N5500 for a 5-litre gallon in November 2023 to N11,000 – N11,500 in 2024.
The practice emerged from some producers and dealers diluting the original product with other substances to increase the volume and make more profits off unsuspecting Nigerians.
Reports from the GUARDIAN say that this product is selling rapidly, as consumers interpret the bright colour to mean better quality.
Some dealers allegedly add colourants to the original products, while others add dye to increase the thickness and colour and make them more attractive to consumers.
Recently, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) apprehended several palm oil suppliers in Potiskum, Yobe State, and Jos, Plateau State, for allegedly contaminating the product with dye.
Following their arrests, samples were seized, and subsequent laboratory tests by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) revealed high levels of acid, saponification, and relative density.
NAFDAC confirmed that the adulterated palm oil contained dye, a substance known to pose cancer risks when accumulated in the human body.
According to the reports, the adulterated products have infiltrated popular markets in Lagos state including Mile 12, Jankara, Ikotun, Mushin, Ajegunle, Ile-epo, among others. The product was also spotted with dealers in Jos, Abeokuta, Owerri, Potiskum, Jos, and Ibadan.
A palm oil dealer in Ogun state shared tips to identify the adulterated product. She noted that even though the adulterated palm oil has an attractive red color, the taste gives it away. When used in cooking, the dye and other additives end up floating in the food, while the taste is nauseating.
The dealer added that the food would have an unusual blood-red colour, and in some cases, it also emits an offensive fragrance while cooking with it.
Prince Wale Oyekoya, managing director/CEO of Bama Farms, observed that adulterated palm oil gets bad quickly, unlike the known local palm oil that stays for months without going bad.
He explained;
Oyekoya, who is also a consultant to the Ogun state governor on Agriculture, noted that the crime is being perpetrated by cabals.
In a related development, TimesNow.com.ng reported that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently sealed off 150 shops at a market in Abia state.
This followed the discovery of large-scale production and distribution of counterfeit and expired products.
The agency shared a video of the two-day operation held on December 16 and 17, 2024, which led to the discovery of the criminal activities.
