The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has cautioned traders and food vendors across the country against the use of harmful chemicals in food processing and preservation, warning that such practices pose serious risks to public health.
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The warning was issued on Tuesday during a one-day sensitization campaign on food quality standards, safety regulation, and fair business practices organized by the commission in Kano. The Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Olatunji Bello, represented by the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, said the commission remains committed to protecting consumers and ensuring fair market conduct in the food industry.
Mr. Bello stressed that food safety is a shared responsibility that requires the collective effort of regulators, producers, and consumers. He lamented the increasing cases of food adulteration and contamination, particularly the use of calcium carbide to ripen fruits and the addition of dangerous substances such as bromate, sniper, formalin, and Sudan red colorant.
“These harmful substances threaten the lives of millions of Nigerians and erode confidence in our food system,” he stated.
He explained that the FCCPC has continued to work closely with relevant agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and various state and local government authorities, to strengthen enforcement of food safety regulations.
According to him, the commission has carried out surveillance operations, consumer education programs, and enforcement actions that led to the closure of non-compliant facilities and prosecution of offenders involved in unsafe food practices.
Mr. Bello urged traders, farmers, and food processors to maintain good hygiene, follow approved safety standards, and avoid deceptive or unfair business conduct. He warned that anyone who places profit above public safety would face the full weight of the law.
“To every food operator, remember that your integrity determines the future of your business. Food safety is not only a legal duty but a moral one,” he said.
He also encouraged consumers to remain vigilant and informed, emphasizing that public awareness is key to improving food standards. “When consumers demand quality and reject unsafe products, it forces accountability across the market,” he added.
Mr. Bello noted that the sensitization campaign was aimed at empowering Nigerians to identify adulterated food, understand the dangers of chemically ripened fruits, and know how to seek redress when their rights are violated.
