FCCPC Nigeria: Mandates Oil, Salt Fortification Compliance

• The FCCPC has ordered Nigerian vegetable oil and salt manufacturers to comply with national fortification standards.
• A recent two-month assessment found 12% of oil and 2% of salt samples failed to meet required fortification levels.
• Many manufacturers have not registered on the GAIN Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus platform for monitoring.
• The FCCPC has referred its findings to NAFDAC for further enforcement action.
• Food fortification is a critical public health measure to combat micronutrient deficiencies in Nigeria.

Consumer protection extends beyond resolving complaints to ensuring that consumers receive the expected value and benefits from products available in the marketplace.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has recently mandated manufacturers of vegetable oil and salt in Nigeria to adhere strictly to national food standards, following findings of inadequate fortification levels in their products. This directive stems from a comprehensive two-month assessment conducted by the commission in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). The investigation revealed significant instances of vegetable oil salt non-compliance with established Nigeria food fortification standards.

During the assessment, a total of 200 samples were analyzed, comprising an equal split of 100 vegetable oil samples and 100 salt samples. The findings indicated that 12 percent of the vegetable oil samples and 2 percent of the salt samples failed to meet the required fortification benchmarks. These samples were collected from randomly selected markets and households across both northern and southern regions of the country, providing a broad overview of product quality. The FCCPC utilized a Household Food Fortification Survey alongside the GAIN Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus platform to monitor and evaluate fortified food products throughout the supply chain.

A critical issue identified during the assessment was the low enrollment of manufacturers on the digital platform, which was developed by GAIN to enhance the oversight of fortified products from their production to consumption. Specifically, only six vegetable oil manufacturers had registered on the platform, and among the 100 vegetable oil samples examined, only eight results from three of these six registered companies had been uploaded. This significant gap in data submission and registration underscores challenges in ensuring comprehensive food quality standards Nigeria.

In response to these findings, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has issued a direct order compelling all defaulting producers to rectify their non-compliance. The commission has also strongly encouraged manufacturers, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to register their products and implement digital traceability systems. Furthermore, the FCCPC has referred its findings to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for subsequent action, in line with an existing Memorandum of Understanding that facilitates NAFDAC FCCPC collaboration on such matters.

Food fortification involves the deliberate addition of essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, folic acid, vitamin A, zinc, and iodine, to commonly consumed food items during their industrial processing. This public health intervention is crucial for preventing micronutrient deficiencies and mitigating "hidden hunger," which remains a significant public health concern, particularly affecting pre-school children and women of reproductive age in Nigeria. The FCCPC directive oil salt fortification Nigeria is therefore a vital step in safeguarding public health.

Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, emphasized that consumer protection extends beyond resolving complaints to ensuring that consumers receive the expected value and benefits from products available in the marketplace. He highlighted manufacturers' inherent responsibility for upholding quality standards and ensuring their products comply with all pertinent regulations. Consumers are also advised to be vigilant regarding fortified food products, ensuring proper handling and storage to maintain their nutritional integrity.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising food manufacturers, particularly in the vegetable oil and salt sectors in Nigeria, must ensure their clients are aware of and comply with the FCCPC's directive on fortification standards. This includes registering on the GAIN Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus platform to avoid potential enforcement actions from the FCCPC and NAFDAC.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Nigeria