Femi Ashekun/
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has raised fresh concerns over the growing circulation of adulterated palm oil across markets in Lagos, warning that some traders are mixing the staple cooking ingredient with candle wax, industrial dyes, chemicals and other harmful substances in a desperate bid to maximise profits.
The agency said the alarming trend has become increasingly widespread following mounting consumer complaints and intensified market surveillance operations across the state.
Speaking on the development, the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, warned that unsuspecting residents could be exposing themselves and their families to serious health risks by consuming contaminated palm oil sold in open markets.
According to him, investigations by the agency revealed that some unscrupulous dealers were artificially enhancing the appearance and texture of palm oil using dangerous additives capable of causing severe health complications.
Solebo disclosed that substances reportedly found in some adulterated products include candle wax, artificial colouring agents, unidentified chemicals and impurities which the human body cannot properly digest.
He warned that prolonged consumption could trigger food poisoning, stomach disorders, liver damage, tissue complications and other long-term illnesses.
“The safety of consumers remains our top priority. We are deeply concerned by the increasing circulation of adulterated palm oil in Lagos markets and we will not tolerate practices that endanger public health,” he said.
The agency’s warning comes amid rising concerns among food safety experts and consumer groups over the growing incidence of food adulteration in Nigeria, driven largely by inflation, weak regulation in informal markets and the soaring cost of genuine food products.
In recent years, health authorities and consumer advocates have repeatedly raised alarms over the adulteration of common household items including palm oil, honey, beverages and spices, with traders often accused of using cheaper substances to increase quantity, alter colour or prolong shelf life.
As part of ongoing enforcement measures, LASCOPA confirmed that it had sealed a shop allegedly involved in the sale of adulterated palm oil at Idutafa Lane, off Oluwa Street, near Amodu Tijani Oluwa Mosque on Lagos Island.
The agency warned that traders and distributors caught engaging in such practices would face sanctions under Lagos consumer protection laws.
Residents were advised to exercise caution before buying palm oil by checking for unusual thickness, offensive odour, excessive sediment or suspicious colouring which may indicate contamination.
Consumers were also urged to patronise only trusted vendors and report suspected cases of adulterated food products or deceptive trade practices through LASCOPA’s official communication channels for investigation and enforcement action.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to continuous market monitoring and consumer sensitisation to ensure that Lagos residents have access to safe and quality food products.
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