FCCPC SEALS FIRMS AS OIL, SALT SAMPLES FAIL FORTIFICATION TESTS

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has sealed manufacturing facilities over failures to meet food-fortification standards following tests on vegetable oil and salt sold in Nigeria.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello announced the action on Thursday while presenting findings from a two-month survey conducted with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.

The study examined 200 samples—100 vegetable oil products and 100 salt products—collected from households and open markets across Northern and Southern Nigeria.

Laboratory results showed that 12 per cent of the oil samples and two per cent of the salt samples collected at household level had inadequate levels of essential micronutrients.

The survey covered branded and unbranded products. However, the supplied report did not identify which brands failed the tests or name the facilities sealed.

Bello said manufacturers had a responsibility to ensure their products met mandatory standards and delivered the nutritional benefits consumers expected.

“Consumers must be able to trust the quality of the products they buy and the health benefits those products are advertised to provide,” he said.

The investigation also found limited use of a digital system designed to track food quality through the supply chain. Only six vegetable oil manufacturers had registered on the platform, while three companies uploaded a combined eight test results.

Bello said compliance directives had been issued to defaulting manufacturers, and the findings had been forwarded to NAFDAC for further regulatory action.

The commission also plans public awareness campaigns on handling and storing fortified foods to help preserve their nutritional value.