FCCPC Raises Alarm Over Food Adulteration, Warns Vendors Against Toxic Chemicals

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a strong warning to food vendors, processors, and traders across Nigeria against the use of harmful chemicals and unhygienic practices that threaten public health. The Commission cautioned that anyone found prioritising profit over consumer safety will face strict legal consequences.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Olatunji Bello, delivered the warning on Tuesday during a one-day sensitisation campaign on Food Quality Standards, Safety, Regulation, and Fair Business Practices held in Gombe State. Bello, who was represented by the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, said the campaign was part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to educate Nigerians about the dangers of food adulteration, unsafe processing, and unfair trade practices.

“Food is not merely a commodity—it is a fundamental human right,” Bello said. “Access to safe, unadulterated, and nutritious food is central to public health, economic progress, and national security.”

He described as alarming the growing reports of food adulteration and unsafe handling across the country, warning that such practices pose severe health risks to millions of Nigerians. “We have observed dangerous trends such as the artificial ripening of fruits using toxic chemicals like calcium carbide, which contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus. Others include the use of bromate, Sudan red dye, sniper, and formalin, alongside poor hygiene and exposure of food to flies and rodents,” he said.

Bello added that such actions not only endanger lives but also erode consumer confidence and undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s food system.

He disclosed that the FCCPC is collaborating with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Food Security to strengthen compliance with food safety regulations.

“Through market surveillance, consumer education, and enforcement, the FCCPC has shut down facilities, sanctioned offenders, and prosecuted several cases involving unsafe food practices,” he said.

Bello urged all stakeholders—farmers, processors, vendors, and distributors—to uphold integrity and adhere strictly to food safety standards. “Every product you put on the shelf affects a family or community. Avoid harmful substances, maintain hygiene at every stage of production, and respect consumer rights,” he emphasised.

He also advised consumers to be proactive in demanding safe and quality food. “Be vigilant, stay informed, and insist on the standards you deserve. An empowered consumer helps raise the bar for everyone,” he added.

Reaffirming the FCCPC’s commitment to ensuring a safe and transparent marketplace, Bello noted, “Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. A nation that poisons its people cannot prosper. Together, we must eliminate harmful food practices and promote accountability and respect for human life.”

In her remarks, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s Gombe State Coordinator, Mr. Obukwelu Kenneth, also urged Nigerians to be cautious about what they eat and drink, stressing that food safety is a shared responsibility.

“Safeguarding public health is not NAFDAC’s duty alone. Every consumer must be alert and report suspicious food practices in their communities,” she said.

Adeyeye expressed concern over the increasing use of harmful chemicals in fruit ripening and food preservation, warning that such shortcuts may yield profit but ultimately destroy lives. She advised consumers to patronise only certified products and support regulatory agencies in their efforts to eliminate unsafe food practices nationwide.