NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on ‘killer’ vegetable oil

By MUMINI ABDULKAREEM, Ilorin

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the consumption of vegetable oil drugs that are injurious to health.

The Director General of the agency, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the warning when she flagged off of the sensitization campaign in the North Central zone held in Ilorin on Thursday.

While speaking after the sensitization campaign to major markets and roads in Ilorin metropolis, the NAFDAC boss said the aim was to protect them against negative effects of unwholesome food, fake medical products, harmful cosmetics, poor water and other substandard regulated products.

According to her, some market men and women in the attempt to make profit mixed palm oil with “Azo dye” which is capable of causing cancer.

“If you see any vegetable oil that ‘sleeps’ in that market, that is a potential killer because NAFDAC will never license any vegetable oil with that characteristic.

“They also use sniper on meat, fish and beans to prevent fly from perching and eradicate weevils. Such products are dangerous when they are consumed. The vegetable oil that has been transported with kerosene tanker is hazardous and using potassium bromide to bake bread kills slowly. Consumption of excessive oil and use of formalin on food has its associated health hazards”, she warned.

Represented at the event by the Director, North Central of the agency, Mrs. Bolaji Abayomi, Adeyeye warned on dangers of buying medicines from hawkers, recommending only licensed pharmacies and medicine stores.

She said the campaign intends to address public health challenges such as abuse of Codeine and self-medication, especially among youths.

She encouraged mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding for two years for good health of their children, adding that low level of exclusive breastfeeding practice by lactating mothers will make the child susceptible to various diseases and low IQ. (Daily Trust)