FCCPC Warns Food Vendors Against Using Toxic Chemicals in Food Processing

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned food vendors and processors across Nigeria against the use of toxic chemicals in food processing and preservation, describing the practice as a serious threat to public health and a violation of consumer rights.

The warning was issued on Thursday during a one-day sensitization campaign on “Food Quality Standards, Safety, Regulation, and Fair Business Practices” held in Jos, Plateau State.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), harmful substances such as calcium carbide, bromate, sudan red colorant, sniper, and formalin are increasingly being used in food processing across the country. Experts warned that these chemicals are highly toxic and linked to severe health complications, including neurological damage, respiratory issues, and cancer.

Speaking at the event, FCCPC Vice Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Bello, represented by Dr. Nkechi Mba, emphasized that access to safe, unadulterated, and nutritious food is a fundamental human right that must not be compromised.

“We urge all food processors and vendors to abstain from using harmful substances in food production,” Bello said. “Ensure hygiene and safety at every stage, label and package food properly, and respect consumer rights. Anyone who prioritizes profit over public safety will face the full wrath of the law.”

He further stressed that food safety is not just a legal obligation but a moral duty, urging operators to maintain integrity for the sustainability of their businesses.

In her presentation, Mrs. Evelyn Eofi, Assistant Chief Laboratory Technologist at NAFDAC, identified calcium carbide as a major cause of cancer and cautioned consumers to take personal responsibility for their safety. She also called on authorities to provide testing tools to help detect adulterated products in markets.

Participants welcomed the campaign as timely and enlightening, noting that many food handlers, especially in local markets, use such chemicals ignorantly.

Chairman of the Plateau State Traders Association (Jos North Chapter), Alhaji Ismaila Jibia, admitted that most traders were unaware of the health risks.

“If we knew these products could cause serious health challenges, we would never have used them,” he said. “The government should intensify public sensitization because many people are still ignorant of the dangers.”

The campaign aimed to promote food safety awareness, strengthen compliance with quality standards, and ensure that business practices in the food sector align with global health regulations.