A disturbing video circulating on social media has triggered national outrage after it showed a man mixing palm oil with concentrated dye to intensify its colour before selling it to unsuspecting consumers. The video, which surfaced in late November, captures the individual stirring the dye into a large container of palm oil as though it were a normal part of the production process.
Health professionals and consumer advocates have condemned the act, warning that such chemicals can cause serious harm over time. Influential medical doctor and health educator, Dr. Chinonso Egemba (Aproko Doctor), described the practice as “wickedness,” while linking it to larger public health challenges, including reduced life expectancy caused by consumption of contaminated food products.
According to medical experts, artificial dyes used in food adulteration can contain carcinogenic compounds—chemicals that may increase the risk of cancer and damage vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. Many consumers have also expressed frustration over weak regulation in open markets, where illegal and unregistered sellers often operate without oversight.
The viral video has now opened up a wider debate on the safety of food products, the enforcement capacity of regulatory agencies, and the need for Nigerians to be more vigilant when purchasing palm oil.
Health Risks: Why Adding Dye to Palm Oil Is Dangerous
Palm oil gets its natural red colour from carotenoids, especially beta-carotene. When adulterators use artificial dyes to intensify that colour, the product may look attractive, but it becomes significantly more dangerous.
Why the practice is harmful
Carcinogenic exposure: Some colouring agents, such as Sudan dyes, are classified as carcinogens, meaning they can increase the risk of cancer with frequent consumption.
Organ damage: Toxic dyes can damage the liver, kidneys, and blood, especially when consumed over long periods.
Chemical buildup: Because palm oil is widely used in everyday cooking, even small amounts of harmful chemicals can accumulate gradually in the body.
Misleading appearance: The bright red colour gives a false impression of quality, tricking consumers into paying for a product that has lost its natural nutrients.
Food safety experts warn that Nigerians should avoid palm oil that looks unnaturally bright or has a strange taste or smell. While cheap food may seem convenient, the long-term health cost can be devastating.
How To Identify Real vs. Adulterated Palm Oil
Although laboratory testing remains the safest way to confirm purity, consumers can use simple observation to detect suspicious palm oil when shopping in markets.
Below are five practical signs experts recommend looking out for:
- Deep, Unnatural Red Colour
Pure palm oil is red, but never excessively dark or neon-red. Fake palm oil often has an unnaturally deep or glowing red shade due to dyes like red oxide or Sudan III/IV. When the colour looks “too perfect,” it may be a sign of adulteration.
- Unpleasant Taste
Original palm oil has a familiar, rich taste that many Nigerians describe as similar to fresh banga. Adulterated oil may leave a bitter or chalky aftertaste, even after cooking, because the additives distort the natural flavour.
- Foul or Chalky Odour
Fake palm oil produces a strange smell when heated, usually harsh or chalky. The odour can linger longer than usual, especially when used in soups or frying.
- Smokes Too Quickly
Pure palm oil has a stable smoke point. Adulterated oil, however, smokes heavily within seconds of heating. If your kitchen becomes smoky almost immediately after the oil hits the pot, it may be fake.
- Bleaches Faster Than Normal
When heated, fake palm oil tends to bleach very fast, turning pale or looking like vegetable oil within seconds. This quick bleaching is caused by the chemical mixture breaking down under heat.
What NAFDAC Is Saying
NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) has consistently raised alerts and warnings about the adulteration of palm oil with illegal dyes, which is the likely issue highlighted in the recent viral video.
While there may not be a specific official press release directly referencing that exact viral video, their official position is clear and has been reiterated:
Adulteration Warning: NAFDAC has repeatedly warned the public and traders against the harmful practice of adding illegal dyes, particularly Azo dyes (often referred to as Sudan dyes like Sudan IV), to palm oil to make it appear redder and more attractive.
Health Risk: These Azo/Sudan dyes are not approved for use in food products because they are known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and pose a serious risk to public health.
Enforcement: NAFDAC’s mandate includes ensuring that only safe and wholesome food products are available. They routinely carry out enforcement activities to seize and destroy unwholesome and adulterated products
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