Warning: Adulterated Palm Oil Enters Markets, Dealer Shares Tips to Recognise Them




By Chris Akhabue 




 The attention of relevant authorities and the general public is being called to the circulation of adulterated palm oil in Nigeria markets.

Fake palm oil is said to have entered several markets in six states of Nigeria and is still spreading into others. A few arrests, according to reports, have been made, and laboratory testing of seized samples revealed high acid content, and other substances believed to cause cancer.

Market dealers and sellers have raised alarm over the fake and adulterated palm oil now selling in markets across Nigeria. According to reports, the product has already infiltrated markets in six states of Nigeria – Imo, Lagos, Yobe, Oyo, Ogun, and Plateau states – and is still spreading to other states. Stakeholders say these products appear to be selling rapidly as Nigerians seek cheaper alternatives in the face of high food inflation.

  The price of palm oil surged 120%, from N5000 – N5500 for a 5-litre gallon in November 2023 to N11,000 – N11,500 in 2024. NAFDAC confirmed that the adulterated palm oil contained dye, a substance known to pose cancer risks when accumulated in human body.

  The practice emerged from some producers and dealers diluting the original product with other substances to increase the volume and make more profits off unsuspecting Nigerians.

 Some dealers allegedly add colourants to the original products, while others add dye to increase the thickness and colour and make them more attractive to consumers. Recently, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) apprehended several palm oil suppliers in Potiskum, Yobe State, and Jos, Plateau State, for allegedly contaminating the product with dye. Following their arrests, samples were seized, and subsequent laboratory tests by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) revealed high levels of acid, saponification, and relative density. 

  NAFDAC confirmed that the adulterated palm oil contained dye, a substance known to pose cancer risks when accumulated in human body. According to the reports, the adulterated products have infiltrated popular markets in Lagos state including Mile 12, Jankara, Ikotun, Mushin, Ajegunle, Ile-epo, among others. The product was also spotted with dealers in Jos, Abeokuta, Owerri, Potiskum, Jos, and Ibadan. A palm oil dealer in Ogun state who shared tips to identify the adulterated product noted that even though the adulterated palm oil has an attractive red color, the taste gives it away. When used in cooking, the dye and other additives end up floating in the food, while the taste is nauseating. The dealer added that the food would have an unusual blood-red colour, and in some cases, it also emits an offensive fragrance while cooking with it.

 Prince Wale Oyekoya, managing director/CEO of Bama Farms, observed that adulterated palm oil gets bad quickly, unlike the known local palm oil that stays for months without going bad. He explained; “The adulterated oil is not healthy as it causes cancer and all kinds of dangerous conditions, such as having high level of cholesterol that graduates to heart disease. It’s easy to be identified as it becomes whitish in the bottom and gets bad easily unlike our pure palm oil that can stay for several months.” Oyekoya, who is also a consultant to the Ogun state governor on Agriculture, noted that the crime is being perpetrated by cabals.

 

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