Lagos Agency Shuts Shop Over Alleged Fake Palm Oil as Health Warning Sparks Panic

(The Adulterated palm oil. Photo Credit: Daily Post)

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has shut down a shop in Lagos Island following allegations that the outlet was selling adulterated palm oil, as concerns mount over the spread of contaminated goods in markets across the state.

The agency issued a public warning, urging residents to exercise caution when buying palm oil from traders and vendors.

General Manager Afolabi Solebo explained that consumer complaints and market surveillance activities revealed that certain traders were allegedly selling tainted and artificially altered palm oil to unsuspecting customers, motivated by the desire to maximize profits.

Solebo noted that the adulterated product may contain dangerous substances that pose serious health risks. Among the materials allegedly found in the contaminated oil are candle wax, chemical additives, artificial dyes, and other impurities that the human body cannot adequately process.

He warned that consuming such products could result in food poisoning, digestive problems, tissue damage, liver complications, and other chronic health conditions.

To help consumers protect themselves, Solebo advised people to carefully examine palm oil before purchase, looking out for abnormal colour, strange odour, unusual thickness, sediments, or any other signs that may indicate the product has been tampered with.

He also encouraged residents to buy only from reputable and trustworthy sellers.

As part of enforcement action, LASCOPA sealed a shop along Idutafa Lane, off Oluwa Street, near the Amodu Tijani Oluwa Mosque in the Lagos Island Local Government Area, which was allegedly involved in selling the substandard product.

Traders and distributors engaged in such practices were warned to desist immediately or face penalties under Lagos State’s consumer protection laws.

The agency also called on the public to report suspected cases of food adulteration, dishonest trade practices, or any consumer rights violations through its official channels.

LASCOPA reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing market monitoring, public awareness campaigns, and stakeholder collaboration to safeguard the quality of products sold across Lagos State.