On this investigative report, IBRAHIM ADAM visited a number of markets throughout Lagos, shopping for small portions of recent pepper that had been floor utilizing the acquainted native steel grinders relied upon day by day to course of pepper, tomatoes, grains, and different staples. When the samples had been later subjected to laboratory evaluation at a federal facility, the outcomes raised alarm. They contained dangerously excessive ranges of iron and zinc – metals that pose severe well being dangers, and when consumed over time, are linked to progressive organ harm
For years, Hadi Yusuf has lived in Lagos, so lengthy that town has turn out to be dwelling, and he can not recall precisely when he migrated from Dala Native Authorities Space in Kano State.
A part of his security routine over the previous 10 years, he insisted, has been to rigorously management the meals his household consumes. Yusuf defined that he had lengthy cautioned his household in opposition to utilizing domestically produced steel grinding machines to course of their meals.
“I informed my spouse to not mix pepper outdoors with these machines for the previous 10 years. Even when there isn’t any electrical energy, I insist she placed on the generator to mix something as a result of I would like to guard my household,” he informed Saturday PUNCH.
His fears, he stated, stem from the shortage of transparency relating to what native machines might have processed beforehand and the way nicely they’re maintained.
“I don’t know what they’ve used the machine to grind earlier than our pepper. I don’t know what sort of water they use or what sticks they use to crush no matter they put into the machine,” he stated, trying disgusted.
One other Lagos resident, Sani Shuaib, stated his considerations had been validated the day he returned from work to discover a bowl of floor beans his spouse had simply processed utilizing a avenue vendor.
“What drew my consideration had been the black particles on the floor. I needed to observe my spouse to the seller’s store, and the girl informed us they had been small items of grime from the machine. That was the day I grew to become much more fearful,” he informed Saturday PUNCH.
The invention unsettled him deeply, prompting speedy motion.
“I informed my spouse by no means to go to the road once more to grind something. The next day, I purchased three totally different blenders for various functions,” he stated.
Scary expertise
For Roberta Edu-Oyedokun, founder and Chief Govt Officer of Moppet Meals, the concept that a routine laboratory check may mark a terrifying turning level in her entrepreneurial journey had by no means crossed her thoughts.
She had poured her coronary heart into creating a peanut-based cereal and proudly watched as households embraced her product. As demand grew, she scaled up manufacturing, counting on a domestically made grinder beneficial by an skilled, unaware that the machine was silently contaminating the cereal.
When her product was subjected to a random check, the outcomes revealed dangerously excessive ranges of iron filings, an alarming discovery for meals supposed to nourish youngsters and households.
Edu-Oyedokun shared her expertise on Fb, describing how devastating it was to grasp that one thing meant to advertise well being may as a substitute trigger hurt.
The contamination was traced to the grinder, which was shedding steel throughout operation.
“We had invested over N400,000 in its fabrication, however we had no alternative. We discarded it instantly,” she stated. As soon as she switched again to a primary kitchen blender, the contamination disappeared.
The ordeal additionally opened her eyes to a broader drawback affecting hundreds of thousands of Nigerians day by day with out their data.
“The girl grinding tomatoes on the road serves extra folks day by day than many factories, but she is left unregulated, unprotected, and uninformed,” she stated.
The entrepreneur warned that publicity to heavy metals can result in kidney and liver harm, coronary heart illness, neurological issues, and even most cancers, with youngsters and pregnant girls significantly susceptible.
What troubles Edu-Oyedokun much more is seeing authorities empowerment schemes distribute these similar machines to communities.
“Please cease distributing the sort of grinding machine within the identify of empowerment. They aren’t food-grade. Portray them blue is not going to take away the danger,” she pleaded.
Edu-Oyedokun believes many Nigerians can be shocked in the event that they examined the meals processed in these grinders.
“When you carry the tomatoes you grind from this machine to any meals laboratory for testing, you’ll cry,” she stated.
Resilient vendor
At 53, Iya Lisa stands as a quiet pillar of resilience in Idi Araba, Mushin, Lagos State, the place grinding pepper, maize, yam, and rice has turn out to be each her livelihood and legacy.
Our correspondent discovered her in a small nook of the bustling neighborhood, largely surrounded by Hausa residents who’ve come to treat her as an integral member of the neighbourhood. The fixed roar of her 4 diesel-powered steel grinders cuts sharply by means of the air, a noise so insistent that even the heaviest sleeper would stir.
The small gutter in entrance of her store tells a harsh story, its odour harking back to refuse left to rot for months. But folks proceed to queue, bowls and baggage in hand, ready their flip.
“I’ve been doing this work for over 25 years,” Iya Lisa stated, smiling whereas recounting how she used her earnings to ship two of her youngsters to larger establishments. “I might not be educated, however my youngsters have to be,” she stated.
When informed that some individuals are cautious of utilizing fabricated grinding machines on account of contamination dangers, she emphasised that sustaining her machines’ cleanliness is non-negotiable.
In keeping with her, engineers are known as in to repair any faults or service the machines after extended use, whereas thorough cleansing is carried out after each grinding session to verify particles from one product don’t contaminate one other.
“My youngsters clear the machines correctly after every use. I grind pepper, jero, corn, maize, yam flour, and even rice for tuwo. Relying on what’s being floor, clients pay as little as N300,” she stated.
Iya Lisa added that none of her clients had ever raised considerations in regards to the security of her machines, confidently asserting that she was essentially the most patronised grinder within the space.
Ignorance amongst distributors
Lamidi Agbaje, a 64-year-old grinding vendor who has spent greater than 4 a long time behind the whirr of steel machines, was stunned when our correspondent prompt that the grinders may pose well being dangers.
“Everyone seems to be speaking about iron filings,” he stated, shaking his head, “however what in regards to the grease and oil we use to maintain the machines operating? What in regards to the crushing sticks that put on down and shorten over time?” With a weary sigh, he added, “Solely God will save us. Correct checks needs to be carried out.”
Mama Ngozi, a meals vendor at Olodi Apapa in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, informed Saturday PUNCH that she has relied on guide grinders for greater than 10 years with out receiving a single health-related criticism from clients.
“I solely use the grinders to arrange pepper for my meals, and folks hold coming again as a result of the meals tastes good. I’ve not obtained any criticism since I began,” she stated.
Heavy on metals
Researchers in Abia State discovered that meals processed with domestically fabricated steel grinders might include doubtlessly dangerous ranges of heavy metals, elevating recent considerations in regards to the security of extensively used food-processing gear.
A 2019 research titled Human Well being Threat Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Foodstuffs Processed with Diesel-Powered Metallic Disc Grinders, performed by J. C. Nnaji, B. I. Iweha, and I. Ogbuewu, revealed that iron ranges detected in soybean, beans, maize, and bambara nut posed measurable well being dangers to residents of Umuahia.
“Foodstuffs processed with domestically fabricated diesel-powered metallic disc grinders include heavy metals. Public well being authorities are urged to control these grinders and educate the populace on their well being implications,” the researchers warned.
The research traced the contamination to ageing machine parts similar to bearings, brushes, and grinding chambers, in addition to pesticides used throughout cultivation and residues from processing gear, underscoring how each poor upkeep and weak regulation can silently compromise meals security.
The fears and experiences of residents like Hadi Yusuf and distributors similar to Iya Lisa weren’t remoted considerations—they painted a troubling image of on a regular basis meals security in Lagos. Alarmed by their accounts, our correspondent launched into a ground-level investigation throughout a number of markets and neighbourhoods within the metropolis. From the bustling stalls of Olodi Apapa to the crowded lanes of Ikorodu, Ogba, Mushin, and Oshodi, he bought small portions of recent pepper, observing firsthand how the acquainted native steel grinders had been used.
Pushed by the realisation that what many Lagosians devour with out thought may pose severe well being dangers, these market visits grew to become step one in a bigger probe geared toward uncovering the hidden risks lurking in abnormal kitchen staples. Every pattern collected was a tangible reminder of the invisible risk steel contamination might pose, a risk that solely laboratory testing may verify.
Saturday PUNCH findings
On a busy avenue in Ogba, Ifako Ijaiye, 54-year-old Iya Kunle earns a residing grinding pepper. Her grinding machine, worn by years of fixed use, bears the scars of age: rust creeping by means of flaking paint, naked steel uncovered to the weather. She operates from the entrance of a constructing, simply metres away from an open gutter the place grime and waste gather.
A pattern of pepper floor at her spot on December 12, 2025, and analysed on the D. Okay. Olukoya Central Analysis and Reference Laboratories, College of Lagos, Akoka, painted a disturbing image.
The laboratory outcomes confirmed iron and zinc ranges far above established security limits.
The pepper pattern recorded 3,023.88 mg/kg of iron, greater than 30 instances the appropriate restrict of 100 mg/kg, and sharply contrasted with the management pattern’s 146.13 mg/kg. Zinc ranges stood at 179.35 mg/kg, additionally nicely past beneficial thresholds.
“Publicity to iron filings poses severe well being dangers, starting from gastrointestinal upset to long-term organ harm. Extra iron acts as a pro-oxidant, damaging tissues and doubtlessly resulting in cancers, liver illness, or diabetes. Excessive zinc ranges can even trigger belly ache and suppress immune response,” the laboratory evaluation concluded.
Exams performed on the opposite 4 samples collected from totally different markets revealed the identical alarming development: dangerously excessive ranges of iron and zinc.
Every pattern, like the primary, contained steel concentrations far exceeding security limits, underscoring that contamination is just not an remoted case however a widespread problem in meals processed with native steel grinders.
“Harmful to very important organs”
Medical consultants have warned that extreme iron consumption may cause digestive discomfort, bloating, and belly ache, and over time might result in severe harm to very important organs such because the liver, coronary heart, and pancreas.
They famous that elevated zinc ranges are related to belly ache and, with extended publicity, can weaken the immune system, lowering the physique’s potential to struggle infections.
A marketing consultant on the Division of Paediatric Surgical procedure, Division of Surgical procedure, Usman Danfodiyo College Instructing Hospital, Sokoto State, Dr Yazeed Muhammad, warned that even short-term publicity to extreme iron by means of contaminated meals or water can set off nausea, vomiting, belly ache, and, in extreme instances, organ harm.
Decoding the laboratory findings, he defined that extended publicity may result in hemochromatosis, a situation brought on by iron overload that damages essential organs such because the liver, coronary heart, and pancreas.
“Staining of water or clothes could also be a visual signal of iron ranges excessive sufficient to pose a well being danger if consumed frequently,” Muhammad cautioned.
He additionally highlighted the hazards of elevated zinc ranges.
“Acute ingestion of excessive zinc may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdomen cramps. Power publicity might intervene with the absorption of important minerals similar to copper and iron, resulting in anaemia and weakened immunity,” Muhammad defined.
In keeping with him, youngsters and folks with sure metabolic situations are significantly susceptible to heavy steel publicity.
He additional defined that iron filings disrupt primary metabolic processes by damaging organs and impairing the physique’s potential to utilise important vitamins.
“Heavy metals have an effect on the physique in two main methods. First, they disrupt very important organs and glands, the center, mind, kidneys, bones, and liver. Additionally they displace important minerals, stopping them from performing their organic roles. This course of is named hemosiderosis,” Muhammad stated.
“With extended publicity, extreme accumulation of iron can progress to hemochromatosis, a extreme iron overload which will finally end in organ failure.”
The medical skilled added that contaminants in floor meals usually originate from the steel parts of ageing grinding machines.
“Paints used on machine components, bushings, bearings, grease, and grinding discs are widespread sources of metallic contamination throughout meals processing, particularly when machines are outdated or poorly maintained,” Muhammad warned.
‘Extraordinarily excessive and life-threatening’
A Scientific Officer on the Kebbi State Ministry of Well being, Basiru Abubakar, cautioned that publicity to heavy metals at extraordinarily excessive concentrations poses grave and doubtlessly deadly well being dangers.
Abubakar, who additionally works within the Division of Medical Laboratory on the Basic Hospital, Argungu, after analysing the laboratory outcomes, described the iron focus of three,023.88 mg/kg as “extraordinarily excessive” and able to triggering long-term, life-threatening situations.
“Publicity to heavy metals can result in most cancers, liver harm, and severe hurt to different organs within the physique,” he stated.
In keeping with him, the hazard lies within the cumulative nature of heavy metals, which steadily construct up within the physique, usually inflicting silent harm earlier than signs seem.
“This check consequence displaying 3,023.88 mg/kg is just not small. This can be very excessive. Think about cooking with this each week for a 12 months. The extent of heavy metals within the physique would accumulate considerably and start to trigger severe harm,” he warned.
Abubakar confused that iron at such a focus is neither regular nor secure for human consumption.
“A degree of three,023.88 mg/kg of iron is just not secure. It qualifies as a heavy steel focus and is dangerous to well being in each respect,” he stated.
The scientific officer additionally cautioned that steel contamination is just not restricted to grinding machines alone, noting that compromised canned meals may additionally expose shoppers to hidden risks.
“Metals aren’t pure meals. When a can is broken with out our data, heavy metals can leach into the meals inside,” he defined.
Specialists warn of extreme well being dangers
A Professor of Well being Promotion and Environmental Well being Schooling on the College of Ilorin, Kwara State, Olukunmi Olaitan, warned that consuming meals contaminated with iron filings poses severe bodily and chemical risks to hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.
He defined that metallic particles shed from worn grinding plates contaminate on a regular basis staples similar to pepper, beans, and maize, creating dangers that go far past mere meals impurity.
“The hazard is each bodily and toxicological. Iron filings and different metals launched by means of native grinding machines can injure the digestive system and expose shoppers to long-term well being issues,” he stated.
In keeping with him, sharp metallic particles may cause cuts and irritation within the mouth and throat, in addition to harm to the abdomen and intestinal partitions.
“In extreme instances, steady ingestion might result in ulceration and even perforation of the gut, which is life-threatening,” he stated, noting that youngsters, the aged, and folks with pre-existing digestive situations are significantly susceptible.
Past bodily damage, Prof Olaitan warned of the toxicological burden imposed by metallic contamination.
“This isn’t dietary iron. It’s poorly absorbed, irritates the abdomen, will increase oxidative stress and contributes to extra iron accumulation. Nigerian research have proven that these machines can shed manganese, chromium, nickel and zinc. Lengthy-term publicity has been linked to liver and kidney harm, neurotoxicity and elevated most cancers danger, particularly with chromium and nickel,” the don stated.
He famous that continual publicity is very alarming as a result of many households devour floor meals day by day.
“Persistent gastrointestinal irritation, low-grade irritation and steel accumulation in physique tissues can happen. Youngsters are significantly susceptible as a result of their organs are nonetheless creating they usually take in metals extra simply,” Prof Olaitan defined.
He confused that iron filings are harmful not solely as a result of they’ll bodily injure the digestive tract, however as a result of they introduce poisonous metals into the physique and set off oxidative stress able to inflicting long-term organ harm.
“Consuming iron filings in meals is harmful, and the danger will increase with day by day publicity. This drawback should not be ignored, particularly as a result of its penalties are extreme for susceptible populations,” the don warned.
Poor upkeep worsens contamination
A grinding vendor in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Alabi Tolulope, warned that poor upkeep of steel grinding machines considerably will increase the danger of contamination.
“There are two grinding discs contained in the machine, and over time, they put on out. When that occurs, we take away them for refilling. Though the discs are of fine high quality, like all mechanical components, they ultimately deteriorate,” she stated.
Tolulope defined that improper dealing with, together with overloading the machine, worsens the issue.
“A cautious vendor won’t ever pour every part in without delay. When the discs are worn out, iron filings normally come out in the direction of the top of the grinding course of. These filings come immediately from the discs when they aren’t correctly maintained,” she stated.
The seller additionally highlighted the function of grease in machine operation.
“We apply grease to the adjuster and bearings to maintain the machine operating easily. But when the machine is just not correctly maintained or dealt with hygienically, the grease can flip into black oil. When it’s not modified frequently, it may well leak and contaminate the meals,” she warned.
Weak testing capability raises considerations
In the meantime, a senior researcher in a serious laboratory in Lagos has raised severe considerations over Nigeria’s restricted capability for superior scientific testing, warning that the nation’s dependence on overseas laboratories for sure analyses undermines public confidence and nationwide credibility.
The researcher, who requested anonymity as a result of “sensitivity of the difficulty”, stated many amenities throughout the nation lack the fashionable gear required for correct and complete meals evaluation.
“It displays poorly on our nation that samples usually need to be despatched overseas for correct analysis. How can we declare to be severe underneath such circumstances?” he queried.
The researcher stated worry of reputational harm has made many laboratories reluctant to deal with delicate checks.
These considerations adopted Saturday PUNCH’s makes an attempt to conduct further analyses on the samples collected.
A number of laboratories declined to hold out the checks.
“This problem is extremely delicate, and most laboratories will likely be cautious. Even some absolutely accredited labs might refuse due to the fragile nature of the matter,” he stated.
When contacted, the Institute of Public Affairs of Nigeria additionally supplied an inventory of laboratories, however none agreed to conduct the checks.
Protected options
The Chief Govt Officer of J. A. Sanni Technical Companies, Owode Onirin Market, Lagos State, James Sanni, informed Saturday PUNCH that his firm manufactures solely chrome steel grinding machines, which he claimed are accepted by the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management and designed to offer secure and inexpensive grinding options.
Throughout a go to to his workshop, Sanni stated the machines are produced not solely to fulfill market demand but additionally with meals security in thoughts.
“We produce solely chrome steel grinders, and they’re NAFDAC-approved. We not manufacture iron grinders. These had been made a few years in the past, however we stopped way back to enhance security and higher serve our clients,” he stated.
In keeping with him, the pepper grinding machines are totally chrome steel in building.
“From the hopper to the lever, spring, cowl and adjuster, every part is stainless. Contained in the machine are two grinding discs that crush and grind the pepper,” he defined.
Sanni acknowledged that sure parts require common upkeep, significantly the grinding discs, bearings and rubber seals.
“The bearing near the lever can develop faults over time, and the rubber seal additionally wears out. The rubber prevents water from leaking into the machine. The 2 grinding discs inside are fabricated from carbon metal, and they’re chargeable for crushing the pepper. They don’t contaminate the meals. As soon as they weaken, we exchange them utterly,” he stated.
He added that solely the outside components of the machines are painted for ending.
“We use silver-blue paint on the outer components to cowl welding areas and provides the machine a refined look. We don’t paint the interior components as a result of that’s the place meals is processed. Earlier than sale, the interior hopper is totally cleaned,” he stated.
Emphasising affordability, Sanni stated many Nigerians couldn’t afford automated grinding machines.
NAFDAC, FCCPC disown guide machines
Nonetheless, NAFDAC has warned that it doesn’t approve guide grinding machines, citing severe contamination dangers related to their use.
The company’s Resident Media Marketing consultant, Sayo Akintola, stated guide grinders, significantly domestically fabricated ones, expose shoppers to iron filings and different dangerous particles generated by means of friction.
“It’s pure for particles to enter meals throughout grinding. As soon as there’s friction between two iron surfaces, erosion happens little by little,” Akintola informed Saturday PUNCH.
He stated the danger will increase as machines age.
“When a grinder turns into outdated, friction will inevitably introduce particles like iron into the meals being processed. These iron filings might not be seen, however they proceed to build up within the product,” Akintola stated.
The media marketing consultant confused that NAFDAC’s regulatory framework requires full automation to minimise contamination.
“For NAFDAC, all manufacturing processes have to be automated. That’s the reason web site inspection is essential for approval,” Akintola stated.
He added that ignorance can not excuse non-compliance.
“NAFDAC doesn’t approve something guide. There may be nothing like ignorance in legislation. Our guidelines and rules are clearly said in our approval guide,” Akintola stated.
The Federal Competitors and Shopper Safety Fee additionally warned that it will take motion in opposition to any product that poses dangers to shoppers.
The FCCPC Govt Vice Chairman and Chief Govt Officer, Tunji Bello, stated the Fee doesn’t license or certify domestically fabricated guide grinding machines.
He defined that product certification and security requirements fall underneath the mandate of businesses similar to NAFDAC and the Requirements Organisation of Nigeria.
“This collaboration ensures that technical assessments, product requirements and shopper safety measures are aligned,” he stated.
Talking by means of the FCCPC Director of Company Affairs, Ondaje Ijagu, Bello informed Saturday PUNCH that the Fee wouldn’t hesitate to behave the place shopper security is threatened.
He urged shoppers to report any instances of contamination or unsafe practices.
