FCCPC Test Finds 12% of Vegetable Oil Samples, 2% of Salt Samples Short on Fortification

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission says laboratory tests found inadequate fortification in 12% of vegetable oil samples and 2% of salt samples sold in Nigerian markets and households.

The commission issued compliance directives to defaulting manufacturers after a two-month assessment with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.

What the tests found

In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs Ondaje Ijagwu said the assessment covered randomly selected markets and households across northern and southern Nigeria.

The study examined 200 samples comprising 100 vegetable oils and 100 salt products. Twelve vegetable oil samples and two salt samples failed to meet the required fortification levels.

Of the vegetable oil samples examined, 49 were unbranded while 51 carried identifiable brands. For salt, 19 samples were unbranded compared with 81 branded products.

The FCCPC did not identify the affected brands or establish whether branded or unbranded products accounted for most of the failures.

Traceability platform gaps

The commission expressed dissatisfaction with manufacturers' participation in the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus platform. The platform, developed by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, monitors fortified food products throughout the supply chain, from production to consumption.

Only six vegetable oil manufacturers had registered on the platform. Of the 100 vegetable oil sample results analysed, just eight results from three registered companies had been uploaded.

The FCCPC said it had issued compliance directives to defaulting manufacturers and urged them to meet Nigeria's food fortification standards.

Why fortification matters

Nigeria's food fortification policy requires designated food products to contain specified essential vitamins and minerals. These include vitamin A, iodine, iron, folic acid and zinc, depending on the food category.

Fortification helps address nutritional deficiencies, particularly among children, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups.

The FCCPC noted that inadequate fortification does not automatically mean a product is contaminated or unsafe for immediate consumption. It indicates that the product falls short of prescribed nutritional standards.

FCCPC Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tunji Bello stressed that Nigerians deserve confidence in the quality and nutritional benefits of products purchased in markets.

Pressure on manufacturers

The findings place renewed pressure on food manufacturers to strengthen quality assurance and comply with mandatory fortification requirements. For consumers, they highlight the importance of regulatory oversight in ensuring that commonly purchased food products deliver their promised nutritional value.

Food remains a large share of household spending. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that food inflation fell to 19.59% in September 2026 from 20.16% a year earlier, while prices continued to vary considerably across states.

Nigerians shopping with ₦50,000 can still buy a mix of staple foods, vegetables and protein, but the quantities they take home depend on market prices, location and the type of food they choose.