Health experts in Nigeria have condemned a viral video showing a man mixing a large quantity of palm oil with dye, sparking widespread outrage and calls for regulatory action. The video, which initially circulated online in late November, reveals a man adding a concentrated dye to palm oil to enhance its color, mimicking the rich red hue of high-quality oil. Medical professionals and concerned consumers warn that this practice poses severe health risks, including cancer. Popular health influencer and medical doctor Chinonso Egemba, known online as Aproko Doctor, addressed the video in a commentary, labeling the act as "wickedness" and linking it to Nigeria's public health challenges and low life expectancy rates. He criticized the lack of regulation in the informal market, arguing that enforcement agencies are often underfunded and unable to effectively track down unregistered vendors. Dr. Yonni Johnson echoed this sentiment, tweeting that adding dye to palm oil is not a business but "slow murder." Concerned citizens are urging the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to launch immediate investigations and track down the culprit featured in the video. Some Nigerians have also pointed out that consumer demand for intensely red oil often drives vendors to adulteration. However, some users noted that even a simple home test, such as mixing palm oil with water, might not be foolproof. Calls for broader action include probing the processing of other food items like tomato paste, vegetable oil, and stockfish, which consumers allege might also be subject to similar adulteration. PUNCH reported in December 2024 that the growing demand for palm oil with an attractive orange-red hue has driven some unscrupulous traders to adulterate their products with Sudan IV, a synthetic dye banned for use in food products due to its harmful health implications.
