FCCPC orders oil, salt producers to meet standards

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has ordered manufacturers of vegetable oil and salt to meet national food standards following the discovery of inadequate fortification levels in some products. The directive came after a two-month assessment conducted by FCCPC in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

During the evaluation, 200 samples, comprising 100 vegetable oil and 100 salt samples, were analyzed across markets and households in both northern and southern regions of Nigeria. The findings revealed that 12% of vegetable oil samples and 2% of salt samples did not meet the required fortification standards.

According to the FCCPC, only six vegetable oil manufacturers had registered on the digital platform developed by GAIN to monitor fortified products from production to consumption, with only eight results from three of the six companies uploaded. The commission has directed defaulting producers to comply with the standards. Tunji Bello, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, emphasized the importance of consumer confidence in product quality and the benefits of fortified food.

The commission has also referred the findings to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action, as per their Memorandum of Understanding. Consumers are urged to pay attention to fortified food products and ensure proper handling and storage.