Again, stakeholders in the palm oil industry and consumers have expressed concern over the alleged circulation of adulterated palm oil in markets across the country.
Investigations showed that this practice, though not new in the country has become a common place in the last few months, due to the current economic downturn, as many Nigerians seek cheap alternatives to what they consume.
Reports have it that the producers and some dealers have formed the habit of diluting original palm oil with substances for excessive profits at the expense of unsuspecting buyers.
Information revealed that those in this habit now mix colourant with water and then, add it to original palm oil to increase its redness, creating the impression that it is better in quality, good looking and attracting, compared to the unadulterated palm oil.
Further checks, revealed that its demand is increasing, majorly due to its rich colour and attractiveness, and coupled with the fact that it is more pocket-friendly and affordable to all categories of Nigerians, as the price of the original product kept increasing.
It was learnt that the price of palm oil has jumped by 120 per cent in one year due to the rising industrial demand and low supply, jerking up the price.
Based on market survey, the price of a five-litre gallon of palm oil sold between N5, 000 and N5,500 in November 2023, has jumped to between N11,000 and N11,500, while the price of a 10-litre keg increased from N10,000 to N23,000 at the same period.
A bottle of 75cl sold between N400 and N500 in 2018 is currently selling between N1, 600 and N2000.
According to reports, the produce is currently circulating in markets in Imo, Lagos, Yobe, and Plateau states, while it is gradually spreading to other states across the country.
Market survey showed that this adulterated palm oil is available in popular markets like Ile-Epo, Daleko market, Ikotun, Jankara, Mushin, Ajegunle, Mile 12-all in Lagos,
Ibadan, Potiskum, Jos, Abeokuta, Owerri and others, where dealers are making brisk business at the expense of the unsuspecting consumers.
Sometime ago, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDSC) arrested some palm oil suppliers in Potiskum, Yobe State and in Jos, Plateau State for allegedly adulterating the product with dye. Their arrests led to the confiscation of samples, which after lab tests conducted by National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), showed traces of high acid, high saponification and high relative density.
NAFDAC confirmed that the adulterated palm oil samples tested contained dye, which is capable of causing cancer when deposited in human body.
A palm oil dealer based in Wasinmi, Ogun State, who confirmed the development, said the sharp practices is affecting patronage of open markets by consumers, as the adulterated palm oil is difficult to detect.
“Considering its look, the adulterated palm oil is more attractive and good looking, but it is when it being cooked that consumers will detect the floating of the dyes and other elements injected into it to make it attractive. Aside the taste, it makes the soup or stew to be red like blood. It makes the food nauseating.
“There are other types that bring out offensive odour during cooking. This adulterated oil is everywhere now and may be difficult for unsuspecting buyers to identify.
The Consultant to Ogun State Governor on Agriculture, Prince Wale Oyekoya, who doubles as the Managing Director/CEO of Bama Farms, confirmed the development, noting that the consumption of the oil is a health risk to Nigerians.
He noted that the importation and and circulation of the palm oil is the work of some cabals, regretting that government lacks the political will to stop them.
“For their selfish reasons they become accomplice to the crime of killing our economy and turn us to beggars from western countries. The adulterated oil is not healthy as it causes cancer and all kinds of dangerous conditions, such as having high level of bad cholesterol that graduates to heart disease.
“It’s easy to be identified as it becomes whitish in the bottom and gets bad easily unlike our pure palm oil that can stay for several months.”
While linking the development to high demand, he added that with population growth, the country would continue to import palm oil.
The former President, National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria, Henry Olatujoye, who also confirmed the development said the body has done a lot to tackle the circulation of the adulterated produce.
“We have even approached NAFDAC, telling them the implications of adulterated oil but because the danger is not pronounced, they are not doing anything. You know in Nigeria when there is no disaster that follows an event government doesn’t react easily, that’s the problem we have.”
