The Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management says it’s investigating a viral social media submit claiming a girl fried plantain chips with oil adulterated with polyethylene.
In an announcement on Saturday by NAFDAC's Resident Media Advisor, Sayo Akintola, the company mentioned it’s taking a science-based method to confirm the declare earlier than taking motion.
The company assured residents of its dedication to defending public well being amid the disturbing allegations.
In accordance with the viral submit, a girl allegedly melted about 5 items of 'olonka rubber' (polyethylene) into oil earlier than grating plantains to make chips.
The assertion learn partially: “The eye of the administration of the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management has been drawn to viral posts making the rounds on social media, the place a person reported the alleged frying of plantain chips by a girl that “ Earlier than grating the plantain into the recent oil, she melted about 5 of the white polyethylene, what we name 'olonka rubber, into the oil.'
However NAFDAC famous that the submit started circulating earlier than the date the apply was allegedly noticed, with out indicating the geographical location.
“The company is taking a science-based method in its response to the alleged declare and can conduct the mandatory laboratory investigation into the declare. Within the meantime, our recommendation to the general public consuming NAFDAC regulated meals merchandise stays the identical and revolves round client vigilance,” the assertion mentioned.
It suggested Nigerians buying NAFDAC regulated meals merchandise to be vigilant and cautious.
The company requested residents to buy solely from respected sources whereas checking for NAFDAC registration numbers on product labels.
Warnings had been additionally issued towards merchandise with suspicious packaging, an disagreeable odor/coloration or unrealistically low costs.
“We guarantee the general public that NAFDAC is proactive in defending well being. A radical investigation into the disturbing declare will likely be performed,” the assertion mentioned.
The company vowed to get to the roots of the accusation and take motion primarily based on scientific findings.
Earlier, the Lagos State Shopper Safety Company warned shoppers of fried plantains, popularly known as “plantain chips”, to be cautious of unhealthy practices within the processing of the plantains on the market.
That is in response to the identical viral report on social media wherein the creator claimed to have witnessed a girl melting polyethylene, also referred to as rubber or nylons, within the sizzling oil used for frying plantains on the market to to harden the chips.
