Nigeria faces palm oil adulteration crisis as LASCOPA launches consumer reporting line

Authorities in Nigeria are raising alarms over the increasing adulteration of palm oil, a staple food consumed daily by millions. At a recent food safety conference in Lagos, experts warned that producers and traders are using sophisticated methods to manipulate the product, including the use of potentially carcinogenic Sudan and Azo dyes to mimic deep-red colors, as well as mixing in spent cooking oils to increase volume and profit.

Joe Onyiuke, President of the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria, has described the situation as a ‘national disaster’ and ‘national emergency.’ Similar concerns regarding unusual thickness, odors, and sediments have been reported in Anambra State, highlighting the difficulty of tracing contamination within the supply chain.

In response to rising concerns regarding fake, expired, and adulterated goods, the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has launched a toll-free helpline (080 0005 2726) to allow residents to report violations. LASCOPA General Manager Afolabi Solebo urged consumers to provide verifiable evidence, such as receipts and photographs, to assist in investigations into counterfeit products and unfair business practices.