The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned residents against collecting, buying or consuming groundnut oil spilled onto a public road after a 33,000-litre tanker fell in the Ojota area of Lagos.
The agency cautioned that the spilled edible oil could have been contaminated by dirt, dust, harmful microorganisms, fuel and other hazardous substances, making it unsafe for human consumption.
LASCOPA’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Afolabi Solebo, expressed concern over reports of people collecting the spilled oil, warning that products involved in road accidents could pose serious health risks.
According to the agency, the safety of the recovered oil cannot be determined by appearance alone, as some contaminants may not be visible to the naked eye.
It added that consuming contaminated groundnut oil could cause foodborne illnesses and other adverse health effects, depending on the nature and extent of the contamination.
The agency further warned that heating or cooking contaminated oil might not eliminate certain chemical hazards, potentially exposing consumers to additional health risks.
Solebo urged residents to prioritise their health by avoiding edible oil recovered from the accident scene. He also warned traders and distributors against reselling such products without proper safety assessment and clearance from the relevant authorities.
LASCOPA reiterated that access to safe products is a fundamental consumer right, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of unsafe food products being sold in markets or circulated through other channels.
The agency said it remained committed to protecting consumers from unsafe products and practices that could endanger public health.
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