The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has raised the alarm over the growing sale of sophisticated adulterated palm oil in markets across the state.
The agency issued the alert after a technical presentation at the Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition by Dr. Nurah Oseni, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Food Technology, Auchi Polytechnic, Vanguard reports.
LASCOPA General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, urged residents to “shine their eyes” and report suspected adulterated palm oil and dishonest traders through the agency’s official channels.
Solebo said market surveillance had been increased across Lagos and warned that suspects caught would be arrested and prosecuted under relevant laws.
In her presentation, titled ‘Palm oil adulteration: Emerging risks, detection strategies and regulatory control,’ Oseni said palm oil is easily adulterated because of its high demand, consumers’ preference for deep-red colour, price differences and informal market practices.
She identified risks including the use of potentially carcinogenic Sudan and Azo dyes, mixing palm oil with recovered or recycled oils such as spent cooking oil, and mixtures designed to escape basic quality checks.
Oseni advised consumers to use visual checks as an initial precaution but stressed that appearance alone cannot confirm adulteration.
