A new advisory from Nigeria’s food and drug regulator has drawn attention to what it describes as a troubling surge in the availability of unregistered edible oils in markets across the country. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says the development could have far-reaching health implications if left unchecked.

The alert followed a complaint from Lebruni Agro Limited, a registered local producer of soybean and palm-kernel oils. According to the company, recent market checks showed a rise in unfamiliar edible-oil brands entering the country without approval. A senior quality-control officer said several of these products lacked manufacturing details or NAFDAC registration numbers, yet were openly sold to consumers.

Lebruni listed brands such as FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX, and LA JONIC among those found to be circulating without documentation. The company further alleged that some distributors run hidden warehouses that support what it described as an illegal supply network.

NAFDAC’s own investigations appear to support these findings. Officials confirmed that the oils have penetrated major commercial hubs including Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Warri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ikom, Calabar, several markets in Lagos, as well as cities in the North such as Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Yola, Gombe, Bauchi, Makurdi, and Lafia.

The agency expressed concern that the products originate from unknown sources and cannot be assessed for hygiene standards, chemical composition, or production methods. Officials warned that consumers may unknowingly be exposed to impurities, contaminants, or degraded fats capable of causing harm.

According to the regulator, the health risks associated with unverified edible oils range from cardiovascular complications and liver damage to toxic buildup and other chronic conditions. NAFDAC also noted that none of the flagged brands appear in its database, indicating they have not undergone the required safety evaluation.

The agency is calling for stronger vigilance across the supply chain, especially at informal border points where such products may be entering the country. It urged importers, traders, retailers, and healthcare professionals to help stem the distribution of unregistered oils, stressing the importance of safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s regulated food system.

Consumers were advised to check the authenticity of edible-oil products before purchase and to report suspicious brands. Members of the public can contact NAFDAC via 0800-162-3322 or by email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng. Reports of adverse reactions to food or medicinal products can also be submitted through the agency’s website, e-reporting portal, or the Med-Safety App on Android and iOS.