Nigerian Food Commission Closes Firms for Failing Nutrient Standards in Oil and Salt

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has closed down several food manufacturing facilities after a survey found that some vegetable oil and salt products sold in Nigeria did not meet national nutrient standards.

The FCCPC announced this on Thursday, following a two-month survey conducted with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). The survey tested 200 samples, including 100 vegetable oil and 100 salt products, from different households and markets across Nigeria.

Results showed that 12% of the vegetable oil samples and 2% of the salt samples lacked essential nutrients. The survey included both branded and unbranded products. Of the vegetable oil samples, 49 were unbranded, while 51 were from well-known brands like Devon King’s and Dangote. For salt, 19 samples were unbranded, with the majority being from Mr Chef and Dangote.

The survey also highlighted problems with tracking the quality of fortified foods from production to sale. Only a few vegetable oil manufacturers had registered on the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus (DFQT+) platform used for monitoring compliance.

FCCPC Vice Chairman Tunji Bello emphasized that food fortification is crucial for public health, especially for young children and women. He stated that consumers should trust the quality and health benefits of the products they purchase.

In response to the findings, the FCCPC has directed non-compliant manufacturers to take corrective actions. They also plan to educate consumers on how to properly handle and store fortified foods. Additionally, the survey results have been sent to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action.