NAFDAC Says Unbranded Palm Oil, Fufu Sold in Open Markets Fall Outside Direct Oversight

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that its direct regulatory oversight does not extend absolutely to unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets, calling for stronger monitoring by sub-national authorities.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the clarification during a press conference while discussing the agency’s efforts to tackle unsafe, adulterated and substandard products in Nigeria.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC had received concerns about the safety of traditionally packaged staple foods, including palm oil and fufu, particularly reports involving the use of substances that could pose risks to public health.

However, she explained that NAFDAC does not have direct and absolute regulatory oversight over unbranded and unpackaged staple foods sold in open markets.

The clarification highlights the shared nature of food-safety responsibilities in Nigeria, particularly for products that fall outside NAFDAC’s direct regulatory mandate.

Adeyeye said sub-national authorities have an important role to play in ensuring the safety and quality of such foods within their jurisdictions. She stressed the need for prompt and effective monitoring as part of broader efforts to strengthen food safety in the country.

The Director-General also clarified that NAFDAC is not solely responsible for the regulation of all agricultural produce entering Nigeria.

Fresh agricultural products such as apples, grapes and oranges fall within the mandate of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), highlighting the need for collaboration among government agencies with different responsibilities across the food-safety system.

She also discussed NAFDAC’s efforts to address the use of chemicals in fruit ripening, including the agency’s measures concerning calcium carbide and its importation and clearance.

According to the Director-General, NAFDAC has been addressing the issue since 2018 through regulatory measures, public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement, workshops and training.

These efforts are part of a broader national framework for food safety, including the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its Implementation Plan 2023, which provides for coordinated action among relevant authorities.

The clarification on unbranded staple foods does not mean that such products are outside Nigeria’s food-safety system altogether. Rather, it underscores the division of responsibilities among federal, state and local authorities and the need for effective coordination.

For consumers, the issue is significant because food safety risks can arise at different stages of the food chain, from production and processing to transportation, storage and retail.

Strengthening food-safety enforcement therefore requires not only effective federal regulation, but also active monitoring and enforcement by sub-national authorities responsible for products and activities within their jurisdictions.