The agency says unbranded palm oil and fufu sold in open markets fall outside its direct oversight, urging states and local authorities to strengthen monitoring.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) received 225 complaints about suspected counterfeit products in August as public concerns over adulterated and unsafe foods continue to grow.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed the figure on Monday while briefing journalists on the agency’s efforts to tackle counterfeit, adulterated, substandard and unsafe products across the country.
Adeyeye said the agency receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians every month through its official reporting channels, describing the reports as important leads for investigations.
She urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeiters directly to NAFDAC rather than relying solely on social media.
“Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,” she said.
The agency said its 24-hour call centre and other complaint channels allow officials to assess reports, determine whether further investigation is required and, where necessary, proceed with sampling, laboratory analysis and enforcement.
NAFDAC clarifies its food safety mandate
Adeyeye said NAFDAC was aware of recent concerns involving allegedly adulterated or unsafe yoghurt, palm oil, apples, soy sauce, olive oil, chicken, fish, water and beverages.
However, she cautioned that social media allegations alone could not establish that a product was counterfeit, adulterated or unsafe.
She said claims should be subjected to scientific testing and regulatory investigation before conclusions are reached.
According to Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s food regulatory responsibilities primarily cover processed and packaged products and include establishment inspection, product sampling, laboratory analysis, compliance monitoring, post-market surveillance, complaint investigation, product verification, recall and enforcement.
She added that the production, distribution, importation, exportation, advertisement, sale or use of unregistered regulated products is unlawful under the NAFDAC Act and other applicable laws.
Where violations are established, the agency can seize, recall or dispose of affected products and take enforcement action against those responsible.
Adeyeye also clarified that NAFDAC is not the sole regulator of every food product in circulation.
She said imported fresh agricultural produce such as apples, grapes and oranges falls under the relevant responsibilities of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, highlighting the need for stronger coordination among government agencies.
The National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 implementation plan provide a framework for such inter-agency cooperation, she said.
NAFDAC raises alarm over palm oil, fufu
The agency also raised concerns about the reported adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other hazardous contaminants.
Adeyeye said the practice had been observed particularly in palm oil packaged and presented in traditional forms.
“The adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other hazardous contaminants has been observed, particularly in palm oil packaged and presented in traditional forms,” she said.
She also said fufu and other staple foods had been reported to be produced using bleach and other chemicals that could be harmful to human health.
However, Adeyeye stressed that NAFDAC does not have “direct and absolute regulatory oversight” over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets.
She consequently urged state and local authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement within their jurisdictions.
The clarification comes amid growing public discussion about food safety and alleged adulteration, particularly on social media.
NAFDAC said concerns raised by members of the public should not be dismissed, but stressed that allegations need to be backed by proper scientific evaluation before a product is declared unsafe.
NAFDAC records 7,210 non-compliant products
The latest complaints form part of wider enforcement efforts by the agency.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC removed 7,210 non-compliant products from circulation during surveillance operations conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory between May and July 2026. The agency inspected 6,233 facilities during the period.
The products covered several regulatory categories, including food and water, medicines and herbals, medical devices, vaccines and biologics, cosmetics and chemicals.
The agency also disclosed that coordinated raids conducted between February and March 2025 at Idumota Market in Lagos, Onitsha markets in Anambra State and Ariaria International Market in Aba, Abia State resulted in the seizure and destruction of more than 137 40-foot truckloads of counterfeit and substandard products valued by NAFDAC at more than N1.5 trillion.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC had also secured convictions for counterfeiting-related offences, with some offenders receiving prison sentences.
Beyond enforcement, the agency said it had been tackling the artificial ripening of fruits since 2018 through restrictions on calcium carbide availability, public enlightenment and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
The NAFDAC DG urged Nigerians to use the agency’s official complaint channels when they encounter suspected counterfeit, adulterated or unsafe products.
She said credible information from consumers could help regulators identify offenders, investigate suspected violations and remove dangerous products from circulation.
For products outside NAFDAC’s direct mandate, she urged sub-national authorities and other relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.
