The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised concerns over the increasing sale of adulterated and contaminated foods in Nigerian markets. The acting Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, highlighted various forms of adulteration such as forceful ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat, and grains during a sensitization event in Abuja.
### Key Points from the FCCPC’s Warning:
1. **Health Implications**: Dr. Adamu Abdullahi emphasized that traders engaging in adulteration are disregarding the health implications on consumers. Adulteration of foods like palm oil with substances such as dye, lard, and transformer oil (paraffin) poses significant health risks, including abdominal pain, nausea, liver disease, and even cardiac arrest.
2. **Legal Powers**: The FCCPC reiterated its mandate under the Acts that established the Commission to remove fake and adulterated products from the markets. This action aims to protect consumers from purchasing unsafe products and to promote a healthier society.
3. **Sensitization and Education**: The Commission plans to conduct sensitization campaigns in markets across states and rural areas to educate traders, farmers, and the public about the dangers of consuming adulterated foods. They encourage the public to report any cases of adulterated products they encounter.
4. **Collaboration with Stakeholders**: Stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NAFDAC (National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control), and market associations expressed support for FCCPC’s efforts. They emphasized the need for collaboration to enforce laws against adulteration and ensure food safety standards are met.
5. **Community Engagement**: Dr. Edozie Ugwu from the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) commended FCCPC’s initiative and pledged market associations’ cooperation in sensitizing traders about the importance of avoiding adulterated foods. This collaboration aims to prevent health risks associated with consuming contaminated products.
Overall, the FCCPC’s warning underscores the critical need to curb the sale of adulterated foods in Nigerian markets to safeguard public health and ensure food safety standards are upheld. Their proactive measures, including sensitization campaigns and legal enforcement, aim to create a safer environment for consumers and promote compliance with food safety regulations.