The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed manufacturers of vegetable oil and salt found to be inadequately fortified to comply with national food fortification standards.
The directive follows a two-month survey conducted by the Commission in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), which identified deficiencies in the fortification of some products collected from Nigerian markets and households.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the FCCPC said its analysis of 200 samples, comprising 100 vegetable oil and 100 salt samples, found that 12 per cent of the vegetable oil and two per cent of the salt were inadequately fortified.
The survey was conducted in randomly selected markets and households across northern and southern Nigeria.
According to the Commission, the study used a Household Food Fortification Survey alongside the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus (DFQT+) platform to monitor and trace fortified food products.
The FCCPC said the findings also revealed limited registration of manufacturers on the digital traceability platform, which was developed by GAIN to improve the tracking of fortified foods from production to consumption.
It disclosed that only six vegetable oil producers had registered on the platform, while only eight results belonging to three of the six companies could be uploaded among the 100 vegetable oil samples analysed.
“Accordingly, the Commission has issued a directive compelling the defaulting producers to comply,” the statement said.
The Commission also encouraged manufacturers, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to embrace product registration and digital traceability.
Commenting on the findings, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said consumers must be able to trust the quality of products they purchase and the benefits they are expected to provide.
He stressed that consumer protection goes beyond resolving complaints and addressing harmful business practices.
“Consumer protection is not limited to resolving complaints or addressing harmful business practices, it also involves ensuring that consumers are not denied the value and benefits they are entitled to expect from products in the marketplace,” Bello said.
He further emphasised that manufacturers have a responsibility to maintain appropriate quality standards and ensure their products meet applicable requirements.
The FCCPC said large-scale food fortification involves adding essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, folic acid, vitamin A, zinc and iodine, to widely consumed staple foods and condiments during industrial processing.
The practice is intended to address micronutrient deficiencies and reduce hidden hunger, a public health concern affecting populations globally, particularly pre-school children and women of reproductive age.
The Commission also disclosed that it had referred the development to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies.
The FCCPC urged consumers to pay attention to fortified food products and their proper handling and storage.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
