By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Following the incident involving a 33,000-litre tanker that fell while conveying groundnut oil, the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned members of the public against scooping, purchasing, or consuming the spilled product, citing serious risks to human health and safety.
The General Manager CEO Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Afolabi Solebo, Esq. has expressed deep concern over the actions of individuals seen collecting the spilled oil, noting that food products involved in road accidents may be exposed to contaminants that render them unfit for human consumption.
Groundnut oil spilled onto a public road can come into contact with dirt, dust, harmful microorganisms, fuel, and other hazardous substances. Even when the oil appears clean, its safety cannot be verified through visual inspection alone.
He stated that consuming contaminated edible oil may result in foodborne illnesses and other adverse health effects, depending on the nature and extent of the contamination.
Furthermore, cooking or heating contaminated oil may not eliminate certain chemical hazards, potentially exposing consumers to further health risks.
Solebo therefore urges members of the public to prioritise their health and refrain from collecting, purchasing, or consuming edible oil recovered from accident scenes. The Agency also cautions traders and distributors against reselling such products without proper safety assessment and clearance from the relevant authorities.
The Agency reiterates that access to safe products is a fundamental consumer right, and calls on consumers to remain vigilant, make informed decisions, and promptly report any suspected circulation of unsafe food products to the appropriate authorities.
However, the General Manager CEO said the Agency remains fully committed to protecting consumers from unsafe products and practices that threaten their health and well-being.
