The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has issued a warning to residents after discovering that fake palm oil is increasingly making its way into local markets. The agency said the adulteration of the popular cooking oil is becoming more sophisticated, making it harder for consumers to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits.
In a statement released to the press, the agency urged shoppers to exercise caution when purchasing palm oil, noting that substandard and unsafe variants could pose health risks. It also announced that market surveillance will be intensified across the state to curb the spread of these counterfeit products.
Palm oil is a staple in Nigerian households, used in a wide range of dishes and as a cooking medium. The agency’s move comes amid growing concerns over food safety and the integrity of food supply chains in Lagos.
While the agency has not yet released specific testing results, it has called on consumers to report suspicious products and to buy from reputable vendors. The increased monitoring is aimed at protecting the public from potential health hazards associated with adulterated palm oil.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>