Lagos clamps down on unsafe pepper grinding machines

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The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has warned operators of pepper and mill grinding machines against the use of rusty, corroded and poorly fabricated equipment, saying such practices could contaminate food and endanger consumers.

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In a statement shared by the Lagos State Government on Tuesday, the agency urged operators across the state to replace traditional cast-iron and unsuitable locally fabricated machines with stainless-steel and other appropriate food-grade equipment.

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The General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, gave the warning following concerns raised at the Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition 2026, held under the theme, “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.”

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Solebo said the widespread use of pepper and mill grinding machines by households, food vendors, restaurants, hospitals, boarding schools, caterers, traders and small-scale food businesses made compliance with basic food-safety standards imperative.

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He said, “Worn, rusty or corroded grinding equipment could increase the risk of metal contamination, while accumulated food residues, dirt and grease from previous grinding activities could also compromise food safety and quality.”

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The LASCOPA boss disclosed that the agency’s Monitoring and Enforcement Officers would intensify compliance checks at food-processing and grinding points across the state.

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He said appropriate regulatory action would be taken against establishments found using unsafe or unsuitable equipment.

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Solebo advised operators to clean their machines thoroughly after every use and remove food residues, while ensuring that their surroundings remained hygienic.

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He said, “Grinding components must be regularly inspected and properly maintained to prevent contamination and cross-contamination.”

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He also urged operators to ensure that the equipment they used was suitable for food processing, stressing the need to move away from traditional cast-iron machines and poorly fabricated alternatives.

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The agency’s warning comes amid concerns that deteriorated grinding components could introduce metal particles into food products, while poor hygiene around the machines could expose consumers to other contaminants.

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Solebo urged consumers to remain vigilant when patronising grinding points and avoid locations where equipment was visibly deteriorated or unhygienic.

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He said, “Consumers have a role to play in protecting their own health by paying attention to the conditions under which their food is processed.”

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Solebo also appealed to politicians and other public-spirited individuals who provide grinding machines as empowerment initiatives to prioritise stainless-steel and other food-grade equipment.

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He said, “Consumer protection is a shared responsibility,” adding that the agency would continue consumer enlightenment, market surveillance and enforcement activities to protect the health, safety and economic interests of Lagos residents.

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The LASCOPA boss urged members of the public to report unsafe or unhygienic food-processing practices to the agency for investigation and appropriate action.

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He stressed that consumers should not remain silent when they observed practices capable of compromising their safety.

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