Category: City Beats

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned against the rising cases of food adulteration and unsafe practices in Nigeria’s food sector, stressing that no nation can prosper while endangering the health of its citizens.

The caution came during a one-day sensitization campaign on food quality standards, safety, regulation, and fair business practices organized by the FCCPC on Wednesday at Toscana Hotel, Independent Layout, Enugu.

Delivering the keynote address, FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Bello, said the commission was deeply concerned about the growing menace of chemically ripened fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat, and unsafe grains.

The Executive Vice Chairman, who was represented by the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, said, “Food is not merely a commodity; it is a fundamental human right. 

“Unsafe food not only endangers lives but 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 highlighted some of the dangerous practices in the food industry, including the use of calcium carbide for forced ripening, toxic additives such as bromate and Sudan red colorant, and poor hygiene across the value chain from farms to markets. 

These, he said, expose consumers to severe health risks and weaken Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness.

The FCCPC, Bello added, is working closely with agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and state authorities to enforce food safety laws through surveillance, education, sanctions, and prosecutions.

The FCCPC Director of Consumer and Business Education, Mr. Yahaya Garba Kudan, in his welcome remarks, said the commission was committed to empowering consumers and stakeholders with the knowledge to make informed choices and advocate for safer practices.

“Our goal is to equip you with the tools needed to identify adulterated food, understand the dangers of forced ripening, and know the avenues available for seeking redress,” Kudan said, urging participants to actively engage in the sessions.

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Also speaking, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Patrick Ubru, described food contamination as a threat to both public health and national development. 

He warned that unsafe agricultural practices and poor storage methods could lead to frequent hospital visits for consumers and rejection of Nigerian agro-products in international markets.

“Health is wealth, and what you eat determines your productivity,” Ubru noted. We cannot overlook this challenge. Preventing food contamination requires joint responsibility—not only from government but from every farmer, vendor, and consumer.”

He outlined preventive measures including proper hygiene, safe storage, adherence to best agricultural practices, and food safety education, adding that vendors and households must cultivate the habit of cleanliness to protect the food chain.

The campaign brought together regulators, industry players, consumer groups, civil society organizations, and market unions, who pledged to collaborate in ensuring safer food systems in the country.