LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned pepper and grain grinding operators that rusty and corroded machinery poses serious health hazards through heavy metal and bacterial contamination.
LASCOPA General Manager Afolabi Solebo highlighted the threat during the Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition 2026, noting that degraded cast-iron machines shed metal filings and harbor harmful bacteria.
Key Directives and Enforcement
- Equipment Upgrade: Operators are urged to transition to food-grade stainless-steel equipment.
- Market Inspections: Enforcement officers will conduct strict spot checks, penalizing operators using substandard machinery.
- Hygiene Standards: Machines must be thoroughly cleaned of food residue after every use.
- Community Donors: NGOs and politicians donating empowerment mills are asked to avoid cheap cast-iron models.
Consumers are advised to patronize only clean, well-maintained grinding stations.
