NAFDAC shuts down 50 outlets for selling edible oil in unhygienic environments

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed no less than fifty outlets for dispensing edible oil to the public on the streets and in the open markets in Kaduna, an official said.

The agency said that the sealed outlets were guilty of selling the commodity unhygienically, which could pose serious health risks, including cancer.

Josephine Dayilim, the North-West Zonal Director of the agency, disclosed this on Monday, April 22, in Kaduna at a one-day sensitisation workshop for dealers on the registration of packaged edible oil under the ‘Micro-scale in Nigeria’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organized by NAFDAC, in collaboration with the Mike-Ima Global Resources and the Kaduna State Chapter of the Edible Oil Dealers Association.

According to Dayilim, edible oil vendors must ensure that they operate in hygienic environments to avoid the contamination of the products.

“Some people consume raw edible oil and if it happens to be contaminated it can cause some diseases including cancer.

“So, all the equipment and the environment must be kept clean, so also the workers who must also undergo routine medical checkups.

“So, production must be done in a room, using dispensers and not mere plastic materials and funnels,” the director warned.

“The agency would ensure that Nigerians consume only products that have been registered and certified by it as the leading regulator of all such products in Africa.

”We cannot compromise public health and we will do the right thing to safeguard the health and lives of Nigerians.”

According to Dayilim, NAFDAC’s key mandate includes safeguarding public health, adding, “The exercise was organized due to the myriad of public outcries about the unwholesome production of edible oil across the country.

“There is no better time than now to have this awareness workshop as the need for it cannot be overemphasized.

”During the agency’s regular surveillance activities, complaints have been received from the public for the proper regulation of the product.

”That it is a violation to sell any regulated product not registered by the agency.

”It has also been observed that some of these edible oils are being dispensed in an unregistered, unhygienic environment open to contamination.

”That consumption of products from unapproved sources and facilities could be injurious to health,” Dayilim said.

The director added that the agency would ensure that the public buys food and other regulated products with its approved labels on them.

“Safe, quality and wholesome foods are being sold to the public, which can be achieved through regular monitoring by the agency.

“Impose appropriate sanctions for violations by placing violating outlets on hold and encouraging the owners to register such facilities based on NAFDAC-approved guidelines.

”In order with FG’s policy on the Ease of Doing Business, the agency is open to collaborations in order to boost MSMEs in the state,” Dayilim further explained.

A cross-section of the participants who spoke commended NAFDAC for organizing the event, promising to urgently comply and cooperate with it to further protect the lives of Nigerians.