In response to a widely shared social media post, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is undertaking an investigation into claims that a woman fried plantain chips using oil adulterated with polythene.
NAFDAC, through its Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, conveyed in a statement on Saturday that it is adopting a scientific approach to substantiate the claim before undertaking any course of action.
Reaffirming its dedication to public health, the agency assured citizens of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the well-being of the public in light of the troubling allegation.
The viral post contends that a woman supposedly melted five pieces of “olonka rubber” (polythene) into oil before grating plantain to produce chips.
The statement partly read, ‘The attention of the Management of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has been drawn to viral posts making the rounds on social media where an individual was reporting the alleged frying of plantain chips by a woman who “before she grated the plantain into the hot oil she melted about five of the white polythene what we call ‘olonka rubber’ into the oil.’
But NAFDAC noted that the post began circulating before the date the practice was supposedly observed, without indicating the geographical location.
‘The agency is taking a science-based approach in her response to the alleged claim and will conduct necessary laboratory investigation into the claim. In the meantime, our advice to the public who consume NAFDAC regulated food products remains the same and centres around being vigilant as consumers,’ the statement added.
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It advised Nigerians buying NAFDAC-regulated food products to be vigilant and cautious.
The agency asked citizens to only purchase from reputable sources, while checking for NAFDAC registration numbers on product labels.
It also warned against products with suspicious packaging, objectionable smell/color, or unrealistically low prices.
‘We reassure the public that NAFDAC is proactive in safeguarding health. Thorough investigation of the disturbing claim will be done,’ the statement read.
The agency, dedicated to a rigorous investigation, assured to get to the core of the allegation and make informed decisions based on scientific revelations.
A prior warning from the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency advised consumers of the popular “plantain chips” to be vigilant and cautious regarding potential unwholesome practices in the processing of these snacks for sale.
This statement is a direct response to the viral social media report wherein the author claimed to have observed a woman melting polythene, known as rubber or nylons, into the hot oil used for frying plantains for sale with the intention of toughening the chips.