FCCPC Directs Oil and Salt Producers to Improve Food Standards

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has instructed vegetable oil and salt manufacturers to meet national food fortification standards. This order comes after a two-month assessment conducted with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, which found that some food products did not have the required levels of essential nutrients.

The FCCPC analyzed 200 samples, consisting of 100 vegetable oil samples and 100 salt samples, during this assessment. They discovered that 12 percent of the vegetable oil samples and 2 percent of the salt samples failed to meet the necessary fortification standards.

The survey included randomly selected markets and households across both northern and southern Nigeria. The FCCPC used a Household Food Fortification Survey and a digital platform to track the quality of fortified food products. They noted that only six vegetable oil manufacturers had registered on this digital platform, and only a few results were uploaded from these companies.

As a result, the FCCPC has mandated that the manufacturers who did not comply with the standards take immediate action to correct their practices. They have also encouraged smaller businesses to register their products and utilize digital tracking systems.

Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the FCCPC, emphasized the importance of consumer trust in product quality. He stated that protecting consumers involves ensuring they receive the value and benefits expected from the products they purchase.

Food fortification is the process of adding essential vitamins and minerals to commonly consumed foods. This practice aims to prevent deficiencies that can lead to health issues, particularly in vulnerable groups like young children and women of childbearing age. The FCCPC has referred the findings of their assessment to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further action.