The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed manufacturers of vegetable oil and salt whose products failed fortification tests to comply with Nigeria’s national food standards after a survey found inadequate micronutrient levels in some samples.

The directive followed a two-month assessment conducted by the commission in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), which examined 200 samples of vegetable oil and salt collected from markets and households across northern and southern Nigeria.

The findings showed that 12 per cent of the 100 vegetable oil samples and two per cent of the 100 salt samples tested did not meet the required fortification standards.

In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the FCCPC said it had issued compliance directives to the defaulting manufacturers and urged food producers to ensure that their products met the applicable national requirements.

The survey also identified gaps in the use of the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus (DFQT+) platform, developed by GAIN to monitor fortified food products from production to consumption.

According to the commission, only six vegetable oil manufacturers had registered on the platform, while just eight test results from three of the registered companies were uploaded among the 100 vegetable oil samples examined.

The FCCPC urged manufacturers, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, to register their products and adopt digital traceability systems to strengthen quality monitoring and accountability.

Commenting on the findings, the commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said consumers should be able to trust the quality of products they purchase and receive the nutritional benefits they are expected to provide.

He said manufacturers had a responsibility to maintain quality standards and ensure that their products complied with relevant regulations.

Food fortification involves adding essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, iron, folic acid, zinc and iodine, to commonly consumed foods during processing. The intervention is intended to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and address what is commonly described as hidden hunger.

The commission said it had also forwarded the survey findings to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further regulatory action, in line with an existing memorandum of understanding between the two agencies.

The FCCPC encouraged consumers to pay attention to fortified food products and ensure they are properly handled and stored.