The Lagos State Government has warned residents about the increasing circulation of adulterated palm oil in markets across the state, with experts citing potential contamination from cancer-linked dyes and recycled cooking oil.
LASCOPA raises alarm over adulterated palm oil
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) issued the alert, stating that some palm oil products in local markets may contain harmful substances that could pose serious health risks to consumers. The agency said these products may include Sudan dyes and Azo dyes, which have been linked to cancer and are not approved for use in food.
The warning followed a presentation by Dr. Nurah Oseni, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Food Technology at Auchi Polytechnic, during the Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition. Oseni explained that palm oil has become an easy target for adulteration because many buyers associate a deep red colour with quality, encouraging dishonest traders to use unsafe methods to make the oil look more attractive.
Health risks and market surveillance
According to Oseni, some traders blend fresh palm oil with recovered or recycled oils, including used cooking oil, while others combine several adulterants to make detection more difficult. LASCOPA said it has stepped up surveillance across markets in Lagos and urged residents to stay alert whenever they are buying palm oil.
The agency's General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, reassured residents that officials are monitoring the situation closely. He urged Lagosians to "shine their eyes" and report suspected adulterated palm oil and unscrupulous traders through LASCOPA's official channels, adding that market surveillance has been intensified.
Legal action and consumer guidance
Solebo warned that anyone caught selling adulterated palm oil would face the law, vowing that any suspect caught would be "arrested and prosecuted accordingly under the relevant laws."
Experts explained that genuine palm oil naturally separates into layers after standing for some time, with the lower layer usually appearing orange or red-yellowish instead of a uniform deep red. However, Oseni cautioned that appearance alone cannot confirm whether palm oil has been adulterated, as some harmful additives are designed to escape ordinary visual inspection.
Food safety experts have repeatedly advised Nigerians to buy palm oil from trusted sellers and avoid products with unusually bright or artificial-looking colours. While laboratory tests remain the most reliable way to detect adulteration, consumers are encouraged to perform simple visual checks before purchasing.
