The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that it does not have direct and absolute regulatory control over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets across Nigeria.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the clarification on Monday while briefing journalists on the agency’s ongoing efforts to tackle suspected counterfeit, adulterated and potentially unsafe products in the country.
Adeyeye explained that the agency’s regulatory mandate is primarily focused on processed and packaged food products, adding that products sold in traditional or informal markets without formal branding or packaging present a different regulatory challenge.
Her comments come amid growing public concerns over the safety and quality of food products commonly sold in open markets, including palm oil, fufu, fish, chicken, fruits, beverages and other locally processed or packaged consumables.
According to the NAFDAC boss, the agency has continued to receive complaints from members of the public concerning suspected counterfeit and unsafe products. She disclosed that NAFDAC received 225 complaints through its official complaint channel in August alone.
“We received over 200 complaints from Nigerians monthly; in August we received 225 calls through NAFDAC complaint channel,” Adeyeye said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She encouraged members of the public to report suspected counterfeiters and unsafe products directly to NAFDAC through its established complaint channels rather than relying exclusively on social media platforms to raise the alarm.
Adeyeye stressed that counterfeit and adulterated products are not difficult to locate if members of the public provide credible information to the appropriate regulatory authorities.
“Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,” she said.
She explained that NAFDAC operates a 24-hour call centre and maintains other reporting channels through which complaints can be received, assessed and referred for investigation where necessary.
According to her, complaints submitted through official channels enable the agency to determine the nature of the allegation, collect relevant information and establish whether regulatory intervention, laboratory analysis or enforcement action is required.
Adeyeye also acknowledged widespread concerns about products suspected of being adulterated, counterfeit or unsafe. These concerns, she said, have involved products ranging from yoghurt, palm oil, apples, soy sauce and olive oil to chicken, fish, water and beverages.
However, she cautioned against treating claims circulating on social media as conclusive evidence that a particular product is dangerous or counterfeit.
The NAFDAC director-general said allegations involving food safety should be subjected to proper scientific evaluation before definitive conclusions are drawn.
“The strength of the publication could have been enhanced by a proper scientific evaluation rather than relying primarily on emotionally driven and perhaps commercially motivated social media narratives,” she said.
She maintained that scientific testing and regulatory investigation remain essential to determining whether a food product is contaminated, adulterated, counterfeit or otherwise unsafe for human consumption.
According to Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s food regulatory responsibilities include the inspection of facilities, product sampling, laboratory testing, compliance monitoring and post-market surveillance. The agency also investigates complaints, verifies products, conducts recalls where necessary and takes enforcement action against companies and individuals found to be violating relevant regulations.
The clarification on unbranded foods highlights the complexity of regulating Nigeria’s extensive informal food sector, where large quantities of staple foods are produced, processed, transported and sold through traditional markets and other informal channels.
Foods such as palm oil and fufu are frequently sold in containers without formal labels showing the producer, ingredients, production date, batch number or other information commonly associated with commercially packaged products. This can make traceability and regulatory monitoring more difficult.
Nevertheless, concerns about food safety remain significant because contaminated or adulterated food can expose consumers to serious health risks. Effective food regulation therefore requires cooperation among regulatory authorities, producers, traders, market associations and consumers.
Adeyeye’s appeal also places greater emphasis on the role of consumers in combating unsafe and counterfeit products. Members of the public who suspect that a product is adulterated, counterfeit or unsafe are encouraged to provide relevant information to NAFDAC so that the agency can investigate the allegation through appropriate scientific and regulatory procedures.
The NAFDAC chief’s comments suggest that social media can serve as an important avenue for raising public awareness but should not replace established regulatory processes for verifying food safety claims.
She urged Nigerians to use the agency’s official reporting mechanisms, stressing that credible complaints can assist NAFDAC in identifying offenders, conducting investigations and taking appropriate enforcement measures.
The agency’s position also underscores the distinction between food products that fall directly within formal regulatory oversight and those traded through informal channels, particularly unbranded and traditionally packaged foods sold in open markets.
While NAFDAC continues to monitor regulated food products and respond to complaints, the agency’s clarification indicates that ensuring the safety of food sold across Nigeria requires broader collaboration and stronger monitoring throughout the food supply chain.
Ultimately, the agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant but responsible when raising food safety concerns, encouraging consumers to report suspicious products through official channels and allow competent authorities to subject such allegations to scientific testing and regulatory investigation before conclusions are reached.
