Lagos warns against consuming groundnut oil from fallen tanker

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has cautioned residents against consuming or purchasing groundnut oil spilled from a collapsed 33,000-litre tanker, warning of contamination risks. The agency stated that the oil, which leaked onto a public road, may have come into contact with dirt, dust, harmful microorganisms, fuel, and other harmful substances.

LASCOPA's CEO, Afolabi Solebo, cautioned against collecting, buying, or eating the oil in a statement. He emphasized that even a clean-looking oil cannot be trusted visually, as safety cannot be confirmed without proper testing. Solebo warned that consuming contaminated edible oil could lead to foodborne illnesses and other health issues, depending on the contamination's nature and severity.

He added that heating or cooking contaminated oil might not eliminate all chemical hazards, potentially exposing consumers to additional health risks. Solebo urged residents to avoid buying or eating oil recovered from accident scenes and urged traders and distributors not to sell the products without proper safety verification and approval from the relevant authorities.

He reiterated that having safe products is a basic consumer right and advised people to report suspected unsafe food items to the agency via their social media accounts, email, or toll-free number.