The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated two tankers meant for transporting edible vegetable oil after they were caught conveying Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, in Lagos.
According to the agency, the tankers were intercepted during a recent enforcement operation, just three months after it warned transporters against using the same vehicles to carry both petroleum products and edible oil.
NAFDAC stressed that the practice poses a significant risk to public health, as residues of petroleum products left in the tankers could contaminate edible oil and endanger consumers.
Speaking to journalists, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. 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 for edible oil tankers.
“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,” Iluyomade said.
He stressed that tankers designated for transporting edible vegetable oil must never be used to convey petroleum products because of the 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.
Iluyomade 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 and operators to comply strictly with regulations
