Lagos: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against using Goya oil sold in PET bottles, describing them as fake and unsafe.
The warning was issued on Friday during a media parley at the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate office in Lagos.
Dr Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement, confirmed that Goya oil in PET bottles is not licensed by NAFDAC.
“Goya oil in plastic bottles is counterfeit. The sole approved product is imported in original bottles via authorized dealers,” Iluyomade stated.
He stated that NAFDAC had exposed the mass production of counterfeit Goya oil at the Oke-Arin market in Idumota, Lagos.
According to him, producers combined tainted palm oil with dye and repackaged it as Goya oil for unsuspecting buyers.
“We discovered a factory producing fake Goya oil. Palm oil, colouring, stoves, and empty bottles were recovered at the site. Siluyomade warned that many Nigerians were unknowingly using the harmful counterfeit Goya olive oil packaged in plastic bottles.
He urged religious groups to prohibit the sale of PET-bottled Goya oil at gatherings, warning violators would face prosecution.
The director strongly urged Nigerians to report any suspected counterfeiting activities to the nearest NAFDAC office, emphasizing that swift action will be taken to protect public health.
Goya oil is widely used as anointing oil in churches for prayers, healing, and spiritual protection.
It is also used as a premium culinary oil for cooking and frying, as a base for salad dressings, and as a natural skin moisturiser.
Iluyomade further disclosed that a suspect, Moses Nelson, was arrested for distributing adulterated and counterfeit alcoholic drinks.
He said empty exotic alcohol bottles, sachets, and PET-bottled alcohol were recovered from the suspect’s residence in Badagry, Lagos State.
Iluyomade firmly warned counterfeiters to desist immediately, stressing that NAFDAC will aggressively pursue and prosecute all offenders who endanger Nigerians’ health for financial gain.