Lagos warns residents over fake palm oil in markets

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has issued a warning to residents about the growing issue of adulterated palm oil in markets. In a statement released on Facebook, the agency emphasized the importance of vigilance when purchasing this widely consumed product. The warning comes at the end of a presentation at the Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition 2026 by Dr Nurah Oseni, a senior lecturer in Food Technology at Auchi Polytechnic.

Dr Oseni highlighted several emerging risks associated with palm oil adulteration, including the use of potentially carcinogenic Sudan and Azo dyes to alter the color, blending with recycled oils like spent cooking oil, and employing multi-adulterant mixtures to circumvent basic quality checks. The lecturer also warned about digital and traceability fraud, such as falsified product labels and batch records.

To combat these threats, LASCOPA plans to implement a tiered detection system, incorporating risk-based screening, rapid physicochemical and spectroscopic tests, and confirmatory laboratory analysis. The agency's proposed five-step surveillance framework, known as "Risk Map, Sample, Screen, Confirm and Act," includes a database of adulteration intelligence and coordinated responsibilities among various stakeholders, including processors, traders, laboratories, regulators, researchers, and consumers.

General Manager and CEO of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, pledged the agency's commitment to protecting consumers and urged Lagos residents to report any suspicions of adulterated palm oil or unscrupulous traders through official channels.