The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned against rising cases of food adulteration in Nigeria, citing practices such as forced fruit ripening with calcium carbide, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat, and unsafe grains.
The warning came during a sensitisation campaign on food safety and fair business practices held Wednesday in Enugu.
Delivering the keynote, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Bello—represented by Dr. Nkechi Mba, Director of Quality Assurance and Development—described food safety as a matter of human rights.
“Food is not merely a commodity; it is a fundamental human right,” Bello said. “Unsafe food endangers lives, undermines trust in markets, disrupts trade, and damages the reputation of businesses. Any operator who places profit over public safety will face the full wrath of the law.”
He listed calcium carbide ripening, toxic additives such as bromate and Sudan red, and poor hygiene as key risks threatening consumers and weakening Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness.
The FCCPC said it is working with NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and state agencies to step up enforcement through surveillance, education, sanctions, and prosecutions.
Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Patrick Ubru, described food contamination as a major public health and development threat, urging farmers, traders, and consumers to uphold hygiene and safe storage practices.
Also speaking, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Shola Adeyeye—represented by Dr. Leonard Omokpariola—condemned the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruit, warning that the chemical produces acetylene gas, a hazardous substance that poses severe health risks.
“The fruit may look ripe outside but remain immature inside. Consumers risk poisoning and other serious complications,” she said.
The campaign brought together regulators, industry players, consumer groups, and market unions, who pledged stronger collaboration to ensure safer food systems in Nigeria.
