The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned operators of pepper and mill grinding machines against using rusty, corroded and poorly fabricated equipment, citing the risk of metal contamination and other food-safety hazards.
The agency urged operators across Lagos to replace traditional cast-iron and unsuitable locally fabricated machines with stainless-steel and other food-grade equipment.
LASCOPA General Manager/CEO, Afolabi Solebo, gave the warning following concerns raised at the Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition 2026, themed “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.”
Solebo noted that worn-out grinding equipment, accumulated food residues, dirt and grease could compromise food safety and quality, particularly as such machines are widely used by households, food vendors, restaurants, caterers, traders and other food businesses.
He disclosed that LASCOPA’s Monitoring and Enforcement Officers would intensify compliance checks at grinding and food-processing points across the state, with regulatory action against operators found using unsafe equipment.
The agency also advised operators to clean and maintain their machines after every use, while urging consumers to avoid unhygienic grinding points and report unsafe food-processing practices to LASCOPA.
Solebo further appealed to individuals and organisations providing grinding machines as empowerment initiatives to prioritise stainless-steel and food-grade equipment to safeguard consumers.
