The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized two vegetable oil tankers found conveying Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, during an enforcement operation in Lagos.
The agency said the seizure was made during a recent enforcement operation, barely three months after it warned transporters against using the same tankers to haul both petroleum products and edible oil, describing the practice as a serious threat to public health.
NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, said investigations revealed that the two vehicles, which were designated exclusively for transporting edible vegetable oil, had been loaded with diesel in clear violation of food safety regulations.
According to Iluyomade, the tanker manager claimed he was unaware of the colour-coding system introduced for tankers approved to transport edible vegetable oil.
“The two tankers and their drivers have been taken into custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the violation and ensure appropriate regulatory action,” he said.
Iluyomade stressed that tankers designated for transporting edible vegetable oil must never be used to convey petroleum products because of the high risk of contamination and the potential danger to consumers.
“Vegetable oil has nothing to do with petrol or petroleum products, and that is why we are very particular about it,” he said.
He added that any tanker designated for edible vegetable oil must be dedicated exclusively to that purpose in line with international best practices for food safety.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to enforcing food safety standards across the country and warned transporters, depot operators and other stakeholders in the food supply chain to comply strictly with its regulations to safeguard public health.
Comments