By Olawale Lamina
Towards safeguaing the health of Nigerians, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control ,NAFDAC, has cautioned consumers not to patronize traders of adulterated palm oil now in circulation in Minna, the Niger State capital, because of its public health implications and consequences on the nation’s economy.
This was disclosed by the Zonal Director of NAFDAC, North Central Zone, Pharmacist Kenneth Azikiwe, while addressing journalists shortly after a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Minna.
He said: This act is carried out by marketers at night and it is most unfortunate. The Agency will not spare anyone caught in the practice.”
Pharmacist Azikiwe disclosed that some traders add chemicals to palm oil to make it more reddish and attractive, warning that such adulteration poses serious health risks to innocent consumers.
He warned that the practice must stop, adding further that NAFDAC is moving from manual to electronic platforms in order to improve efficiency and public awareness.
The zonal director underscored the development of digital applications such as Napalms and the National Single Trade Window, in an effort to boost service delivery and encourage feedback from the public.
He stressed that, “These platforms provide opportunities to interact with the public, understand their challenges, and improve on the services they receive.”
Azikiwe also appealed to the state government for allocation of land to enable the agency establish a permanent NAFDAC office complex to enhance its operations..
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