The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted three petrol tanker trucks in Apapa, Lagos, that were illicitly transporting crude edible vegetable oil. This action was taken following a tip-off about the potentially hazardous cargo being moved in violation of regulatory standards.
According to a press statement released by NAFDAC on Wednesday, the edible oil had been transferred from a designated storage facility into the tanker trucks, raising concerns about chemical contamination due to the vehicles’ previous use for transporting petrol.
“Concerned about the potential health risks due to chemical contamination from the tankers’ previous use for transporting petrol, NAFDAC officials escorted the tankers to a processing facility in Sango-Ota,” the agency stated.
The crude soy oil was subsequently handed over to NAFDAC’s Southwest Zonal Office for further regulatory action.
The agency also revealed that a representative from the edible oil company has acknowledged ownership of the seized vehicles and their contents, adding a layer of accountability to the incident.
In response to this alarming discovery, NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye has taken swift action by constituting a committee.
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This committee is tasked with formulating guidelines and a code of ethics for the marketing and distribution of edible vegetable oil in Nigeria, aiming to prevent such dangerous practices in the future.
NAFDAC used this opportunity to call on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or unwholesome practices related to food and regulated products.
The agency emphasized its commitment to public health, stating, “We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to rigorous enforcement and continuous surveillance to ensure the protection of public health and safety.”
