Lagos warns traders over adulterated palm oil in city markets
Consumer complaints and market checks pushed Lagos authorities to seal a shop and step up food safety checks across the state.
NIGERIA – The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, has warned residents about adulterated palm oil circulating in markets across Lagos after consumer complaints and market inspections exposed contaminated products on sale.
The agency said some traders added harmful substances such as candle wax, chemicals, dyes and other impurities to palm oil before selling it to consumers.
LASCOPA General Manager Afolabi Solebo said the products could cause food poisoning, stomach problems, tissue damage and liver complications.
The agency sealed a shop at Idutafa Lane, off Oluwa Street near Amodu Tijani Oluwa Mosque on Lagos Island after inspectors found adulterated palm oil at the location.
Solebo urged residents to remain careful when buying palm oil and advised them to buy from trusted sellers. He asked consumers to check for strange colour, strong odour, excess thickness and visible particles before making purchases.
“The adulterated products may contain substances such as candle wax, chemicals, dyes and other impurities capable of causing food poisoning, stomach disorders, tissue damage and liver complications,” Solebo said.
He also warned traders against selling contaminated food products and said authorities would enforce consumer protection laws against offenders.
LASCOPA said it would continue market inspections and public awareness campaigns to help residents access safe food products across the state.
The warning comes as Lagos increases efforts to strengthen its wider food system and reduce food losses across the supply chain.
Last week, the Lagos State Government announced plans to commission the first phase of the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub before the end of 2026.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems Abisola Olusanya said the hub in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, would handle food transportation, storage, processing and distribution within the state.
According to the state government, the facility will receive more than 1,500 trucks daily and handle over 1.5 million metric tonnes of food each year. The site will also include cold storage facilities, dry warehouses, quality control laboratories, truck parks and repackaging centres.
Olusanya said Lagos remains Nigeria’s largest food market, with an annual food economy worth about ₦16.14 trillion (US$11.76 billion).
State officials believe the project will help reduce post-harvest losses, improve food distribution and support stable food prices across Lagos.Top of Form
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