The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over the rising importation and circulation of unregistered and potentially harmful edible oils in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on its X handle (@NafdacAgency), the agency said the alert was prompted by a formal complaint from Lebruni Agro Limited, a certified local producer of soybean (Liorga) and palm kernel oils.
The company reported a surge in suspicious edible oil brands smuggled into the country without regulatory approval.
“Several unregistered and adulterated products are now flooding major markets nationwide,” a senior quality-control officer at Lebruni Agro said. “These brands have no traceable manufacturing origin or NAFDAC numbers, yet they are sold openly to unsuspecting consumers.”
The questionable brands identified include — but are not limited to — FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX, and LA JONIC.
Investigations also found that many of the brands operate through hidden warehouses supporting what NAFDAC described as an “illegal distribution network.”
The agency confirmed that these products have already infiltrated major markets across the country, including those in Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Warri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Yola, Gombe, Bauchi, Makurdi, Lafia, and several border communities such as Idiroko and Ikom.
“These products pose significant danger because they originate from unknown sources,” a NAFDAC enforcement official warned.
“Their production processes, hygiene conditions, chemical composition, and safety standards cannot be verified. Nigerians may be consuming oils containing harmful residues or degraded fats.”
The agency highlighted that unregistered edible oils often contain impurities and contaminants linked to serious health risks, including cardiovascular complications, liver damage, toxic buildup, and long-term chronic conditions.
NAFDAC also noted that none of the identified brands appear in its regulatory database, confirming that they have not undergone any safety testing or approval procedures.
“It is critical that we prevent these products from entering through informal border routes,” the agency said. “Their continued circulation threatens public health and compromises Nigeria’s regulated food supply chain.”
NAFDAC urged importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare workers to exercise heightened vigilance and ensure that only approved products are brought into or sold within the country.
Consumers were advised to verify authenticity and inspect the physical condition of edible oils before purchase or use.
The public is encouraged to report suspected substandard or unregistered edible oils via:
📞 0800-162-3322
📧 sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
Reports on adverse reactions can also be submitted through NAFDAC’s website, its e-reporting portal, or the Med-Safety App on Android and iOS.
