Palm oil dealers, retailers warned against adulteration of product

The Cross River State government has banned the colouring of palm oil in the state describing such as illegal, hazardous and poisonous.

Mr. Ogbiji Nyiam, Director General of the Cross River commodity and quality control Board issued the warning in Calabar on Friday, September 2, 2022.

He warned that those deliberately adding colour to palm oil should desist as it is capable of killing unsuspecting consumers.

Mr. Nyiam disclosed during an emergency meeting with commodity operators, oil merchants and local buying agents that the government is making moves to checkmate the use of colour additives by palm-oil dealers to enhance the look of palm oil and stated that the production of agricultural commodities must be protected and safe for human consumption.

He said the board would embark on checks, especially on commodities produced in the state, including palm oil which is being toned to look more appealing to unsuspecting consumers. He warned that the chemicals used to colour the palm oil have agents which could harm and kill the consumers.

He stressed the need to create a Cross River State brand of Quality Management System (QMS) in line with the international organization for standardization (ISO) 9001-2015 as Nigerians deserve the best hence producers and merchants of the product should cooperate with the board for maximum quality control.

Speaking to newsmen at the meeting, the chairman of the Association of oil merchants in Cross River State, Danlami Saleh vowed to respect and cooperate with the Board to ensure that products are safe for human consumption

even as the management of the Board would swing into action to always check the qualities of palm oil and other commodities for consumption or industrial usage in the State.

In another development, consumers of popular cassava fufu or Akpu have complained of producers using 2soap detergents to quicken its fermentation which is also harmful to the body in a chat with LENS Reporter.

Madam Agbo Bassey disclosed this at Ika Ika Market during a routine check to ascertain the quality of products sold in the market.

She said Nigerians deserve the best, therefore producers and sellers trading on consumer products should cooperate with the board for maximum quality to avoid food poisoning.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)