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The House of Representatives has stepped down a proposed bill seeking to ban the production, sale and distribution of unbranded and unfortified cooking oils in Nigeria following concerns raised by stakeholders.
The bill, which was intended to improve food safety and protect public health, aimed to ensure that only properly branded and fortified cooking oils are available to consumers. However, lawmakers decided to suspend further consideration of the proposal after receiving feedback from industry players and other interested parties.
Supporters of the bill argued that unfortified cooking oils could contribute to nutritional deficiencies and pose health risks, while critics expressed concerns that the legislation could negatively affect small-scale producers and increase the cost of cooking oil for consumers.
The House said additional consultations would be carried out before any further legislative action is taken, with the aim of balancing public health objectives and the economic realities facing businesses and consumers.
