The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has found that some vegetable oil and salt sold in Nigerian markets are not adequately fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, despite a national mandate requiring manufacturers to do so.
The finding emerged from a two-month survey conducted by the commission in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) across markets and homes in northern and southern Nigeria, Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, said in a statement on Thursday.
What the survey found
A total of 200 samples — 100 vegetable oil and 100 salt — were analysed.
Of the samples tested at household level, 12 per cent of the vegetable oil and 2 per cent of the salt were inadequately fortified.
Among the vegetable oil samples, FCCPC said 49 were unbranded, and 51 were branded.
It said the branded samples included Devon Kings (19), Power Oil (12), Activa (4), Golden Penny (3), Laziz Oil (3), Mamador (1), Lasor Oil (1), Golden Terra (1), Canola (1), Primo Vegetable Oil (1), Zimzitana Oil (1), Ayarah Oil (1), Sim (1), Tadenkey (1), and Okli (1).
For salt, it said 19 samples were unbranded, and 81 were branded, including Mr Chef (71) and Dangote (10).
The survey used a Household Food Fortification Survey, complemented by the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus (DFQT+) platform, developed by GAIN to monitor and trace fortified foods from production to consumption.
Why fortification matters
Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) is the practice of deliberately adding essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, folic acid, vitamin A, zinc and iodine to widely consumed staple foods and condiments during industrial processing.
According to the FCCPC, the LSSF is intended to address micronutrient deficiencies and reduce the prevalence of hidden hunger.
“This is a public health issue which affects people globally, including pre-school children and women of reproductive age. The national food policy mandates manufacturers to fortify their products,” FCCPC said.
Traceability gap
The Commission also identified limited onboarding of manufacturers on the DFQT+ platform.
“Better product traceability will benefit both consumers and businesses.
“It makes it easier to identify quality concerns, improves transparency and helps manufacturers and regulators address problems across the supply chain,” it said.
FCCPC explained that only six vegetable oil producers had registered on the traceability platform, and only eight results belonging to three of the six companies could be uploaded to the platform, among the 100 vegetable oil sample results analysed.
FCCPC to compel compliance
Following the findings, the commission said it has issued a directive compelling defaulting producers to comply.
It also encouraged manufacturers, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to embrace product registration and digital traceability, and to promote consumer awareness of fortified foods and proper handling and storage.
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Commenting on the exercise, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said consumers should be able to trust the quality of products they buy and the benefits those products are expected to provide.
He said consumer protection is not limited to resolving complaints or addressing harmful business practices, but also involves ensuring consumers are not denied the value and benefits they are entitled to expect from products in the marketplace.
Mr Bello stressed that businesses have a responsibility to maintain appropriate quality standards and ensure their products meet applicable requirements.
The commission said it has escalated the development to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies.
