Nigeria faces a new food crisis as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) rings the alarm over a flood of unregistered and potentially hazardous edible oils sweeping the nation. In a dramatic announcement, NAFDAC warns of health dangers lurking in everyday markets, blaming an unstoppable wave of smuggled products for endangering millions.

NAFDAC has sensationally named and shamed several major brands,FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX, and LA JONIC,as the culprits in this growing scandal. None of these oils, the agency claims, have been approved or registered, and their origins are shrouded in secrecy. The oils are reportedly being pushed into local markets by an underground supply chain, with distribution hotspots spanning Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Lagos, Kano, and virtually every other major city.

Adding fuel to the fire, the agency’s warning was sparked by a whistleblower report from Lebruni Agro Limited, a local manufacturer that insists its own “hygienically processed” soy and palm oils are being unfairly undercut by this shadowy competition. According to Lebruni, these illegal oils are stashed in hidden warehouses,perfect for secretly flooding the market.

In a statement heavy on concern but light on specifics, NAFDAC points out that these suspect oils don’t have manufacturer details or,most damning of all,the crucial NAFDAC registration numbers. The agency says this leaves Nigerians at the mercy of unknown and possibly dangerous substances, as no one can vouch for how these oils are made or what’s really inside them.

“It is also evident that these products have no identifiable manufacturer identities or NAFDAC Registration Numbers in Nigeria. These products are obviously not registered by NAFDAC and are not available on the NAFDAC database,” the agency declared, raising questions about how such products have become so widespread.

In an attempt to curb the chaos, NAFDAC is now telling the public to act as its eyes and ears,advising Nigerians to scrutinize labels for elusive registration numbers and to report any “suspect” oils to the authorities. But with markets overflowing with these products, will anyone really listen?

The agency blames porous borders and slack enforcement for letting this crisis spiral out of control. Despite repeated promises, unregulated foods keep pouring in, unchecked. Now, NAFDAC is vowing to step up market raids and crack down on offenders,but such promises have been made before with little visible impact.

Health “experts” are being rolled out to amplify the panic, warning of dire consequences,food poisoning, organ damage, and untold chronic illnesses,all supposedly linked to these unregulated oils. The message is clear: your next bottle of cooking oil could be a ticking time bomb.

As the story unfolds, NAFDAC is calling on everyone from market traders to retailers to join their crusade against these “killer oils.” The agency assures the public it will keep a close eye on the market,but with widespread distrust, many wonder if this is too little, too late.

For now, Nigerians are urged to stay vigilant, buy only “approved” oils, and trust in regulatory oversight. Whether these warnings will stop the unregulated oil invasion,or simply fuel more fear and confusion,remains to be seen.