Reps Step Down Edible Oil Bill After Lawmakers Raise Concerns

The House of Representatives has stepped down a bill that sought to ban the production, importation, distribution and sale of unbranded and unfortified edible oils in Nigeria.

The bill, sponsored by Chike Okafor of Imo State, was deferred after lawmakers questioned its reach and warned that it could hurt small palm oil producers while duplicating the work of existing regulators.

Okafor had argued that the proposal was needed because of the health risks linked to unsafe edible oils. Vanguard and Premium Times reported his claim that about 67 per cent of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oil, while only 31 per cent of edible oils in circulation are fortified.

Several lawmakers pushed back during the second reading debate. Some said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria already have powers to regulate food quality and safety.

Channels TV reported that the House stepped the bill down for further legislative consideration after the debate. The proposal had also included penalties for offenders and provisions aimed at strengthening food fortification and local oil production.

Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times, Channels TV