By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed producers of vegetable oil and salt found to be inadequately fortified to comply with national food fortification standards, following a survey that uncovered deficiencies in some products sampled across Nigerian markets.
The Commission disclosed that 12 per cent of vegetable oil samples and two per cent of salt samples analysed during the survey were inadequately fortified, raising concerns over compliance with mandatory food fortification requirements and the potential impact on public health.
According to an official statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the survey was conducted in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), covering randomly selected markets and households in the northern and southern parts of the country over a two-month period.
The study analysed 200 samples, comprising 100 vegetable oil and 100 salt samples, using a Household Food Fortification Survey methodology, complemented by the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus (DFQT+) platform to monitor and track fortified food products.
The findings showed that 49 of the vegetable oil samples were unbranded, while 51 were branded. Among the branded products, Devon Kings accounted for 19 samples, Power Oil 12, Activa four, Golden Penny and Laziz Oil three each, while other brands included Mamador, Lasor Oil, Golden Terra, Canola, Primo Vegetable Oil, Zimzitana Oil, Ayarah Oil, Sim, Tadenkey and Okli.
For salt, 19 samples were unbranded, while 81 were branded, comprising 71 samples of Mr Chef and 10 of Dangote salt.
Beyond the fortification deficiencies, the Commission identified limited participation of manufacturers in the DFQT+ digital traceability platform developed by GAIN to strengthen monitoring of fortified food products from production to consumption.
It disclosed that only six vegetable oil producers had registered on the platform, while just eight results belonging to three of the six companies were uploaded from the 100 vegetable oil samples analysed.
Consequently, the FCCPC said it had issued directives compelling defaulting producers to comply with the applicable requirements, while also escalating the findings to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies.
The Commission explained that large-scale food fortification involves the addition of essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, folic acid, vitamin A, zinc and iodine, to widely consumed staple foods and condiments during industrial processing.
It noted that the practice is designed to address micronutrient deficiencies and reduce hidden hunger, a public health challenge affecting vulnerable populations, particularly pre-school children and women of reproductive age.
The FCCPC further urged manufacturers, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to embrace product registration and digital traceability, while encouraging greater consumer awareness of the importance of fortified foods and proper product handling and storage.
Commenting on the findings, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, stressed that consumers must be able to trust the quality of products they purchase and the benefits those products are expected to deliver.
Bello maintained that consumer protection goes beyond resolving complaints and addressing harmful business practices, insisting that it also entails ensuring that consumers receive the value and benefits they are entitled to expect from products in the marketplace.
He further emphasised that businesses have a responsibility to maintain appropriate quality standards and ensure their products comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
