The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised concerns over the nutritional quality of some vegetable oil and salt products sold in Nigerian markets after laboratory tests revealed that several samples failed to meet the country’s food fortification standards.
The findings followed a two-month survey conducted by the commission in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), covering randomly selected markets and households across northern and southern Nigeria.
According to the FCCPC, 200 samples, comprising 100 vegetable oil and 100 salt samples, were analysed during the exercise. The results showed that 12 per cent of the vegetable oil samples and two per cent of the salt samples were inadequately fortified with essential vitamins and minerals at household level.
A breakdown of the vegetable oil samples showed that 49 were unbranded, while 51 carried identifiable brand names. Among the branded products, Devon Kings accounted for 19 samples, Power Oil had 12, Activa had four, while Golden Penny and Laziz Oil recorded three samples each.
Other brands identified included Mamador, Canola, Primo Vegetable Oil, Zimzitana Oil, Ayarah Oil, Sim, Tadenkey and Okli.
For salt, 19 samples were unbranded, while 81 carried identifiable brands. Of the branded products, Mr Chef accounted for 71 samples, while Dangote represented the remaining 10.
The commission also identified poor participation by manufacturers in the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus (DFQT+) platform, developed by GAIN to monitor fortified food products from production to consumption.
It disclosed that only six vegetable oil manufacturers had registered on the platform, while just eight results from three of the registered companies were uploaded among the 100 vegetable oil samples analysed.
The FCCPC said improved product traceability would help consumers and businesses identify quality concerns, strengthen transparency and enable manufacturers and regulators to address problems across the supply chain.
Following the findings, the commission said it had issued directives compelling manufacturers whose products failed to meet the required standards to comply with applicable regulations.
It also referred the matter to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further regulatory action under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies.
The FCCPC explained that Nigeria’s national food policy requires manufacturers to fortify designated food products with essential micronutrients, including vitamin A, iron, folic acid, zinc and iodine.
Food fortification involves adding these nutrients to commonly consumed food products during industrial processing to address micronutrient deficiencies and reduce what is commonly described as hidden hunger.
Commenting on the findings, the FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said consumers deserved to have confidence in the quality of products they purchased and the nutritional benefits those products were expected to provide.
He stressed that consumer protection goes beyond resolving complaints and addressing harmful business practices, adding that regulators must also ensure consumers receive the value and benefits they are entitled to expect from products in the marketplace.
Bello further emphasised that manufacturers have a responsibility to maintain appropriate quality standards and ensure their products comply with established requirements.
The commission urged food manufacturers, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to embrace product registration and digital traceability systems.
It also encouraged consumers to pay greater attention to fortified food products and observe appropriate food handling and storage practices.
