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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed that it is investigating a viral video of a woman frying plantain chips with oil containing polythene.
A statement issued on Saturday by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, said the agency was taking a science-based approach to verify the claims before taking any action.
He assured citizens of NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health amid the disturbing allegation.
According to the viral video, a woman allegedly melted about five pieces of “olonka rubber” (polythene) into oil before grating plantain to make chips.
“The attention of the Management of NAFDAC has been drawn to viral posts making the rounds on social media where an individual was reporting the alleged frying of plantain chips by a woman who “before she grated the plantain into the hot oil she melted about five of the white polythene what we call ‘olonka rubber,’ into the oil.
“The agency is taking a science-based approach in her response to the alleged claim and will conduct necessary laboratory investigation into the claim. In the meantime, our advice to the public who consume NAFDAC regulated food products remains the same and centres around being vigilant as consumers.
“We reassure the public that NAFDAC is proactive in safeguarding health. Thorough investigation of the disturbing claim will be done,” he stated.
Akintola advised Nigerians buying NAFDAC-regulated food products to be vigilant and cautious, adding that citizens should only purchase from reputable sources, and check for NAFDAC’s registration numbers on product labels.
The Resident Media Consultant also warned against products with suspicious packaging, objectionable smell or color, and unrealistically low prices.