Carcinogenic Palm Oil Scandal Sparks ‘Slow Murder’ Outcry

A highly disturbing video, which began circulating across social media platforms in late November 2025, has ignited a nationwide fury and prompted urgent warnings from medical professionals regarding a deadly form of food adulteration. The footage graphically shows an individual mixing large quantities of industrial dye into commercial palm oil to artificially enhance its vibrant red hue, a practice health experts have unequivocally condemned as “slow murder.”

The viral video depicts an unscrupulous vendor adding concentrated dye to bulk palm oil, aiming to mimic the rich, natural red colour characteristic of high-quality, unadulterated oil. Genuine palm oil derives its natural coloration from carotenoids, a healthy nutrient. However, the substance being introduced is suspected to be a synthetic, oil-soluble compound, typically a lipophilic azo dye such as Sudan IV.

These dyes are primarily used for industrial applications, such as colouring plastics, waxes, and textiles, and are strictly prohibited from use in food products. This dangerous manipulation is reportedly driven by consumer demand; many buyers in local markets wrongly equate a deep, “pepper red” colour with quality, pressuring vendors to artificially boost their product’s appearance to secure sales.

Slow Murder: Health Experts Warn of Cancer and Organ Damage

The strongest condemnation came from the medical community, who were quick to outline the severe, long-term health implications of consuming the contaminated oil.

Dr. Yonni Johnson, a medical expert, asserted that the practice is “not business, it is slow murder,” emphasizing the irreversible toxicity. Popular health influencer and medical doctor Chinonso Egemba (Aproko Doctor) labeled the act as “wickedness,” stating that the presence of these chemicals is a key factor contributing to Nigeria’s low national life expectancy, currently hovering around 50-something years.

The experts’ warnings are grave: these dyes are confirmed carcinogens, meaning they significantly increase the risk of developing cancer. Furthermore, habitual consumption leads to severe, cumulative damage to vital internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, and blood.

Calls for NAFDAC Intervention and Regulatory Overhaul

The public outcry has translated into urgent demands for regulatory action from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Critics argue that the widespread prevalence of such illegal practices points to a severe breakdown in the regulation of the country’s informal food market.

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Medical commentators lamented the fact that the enforcement agencies tasked with tracking and prosecuting unregistered vendors are often severely underfunded, leading to a widespread feeling of helplessness among consumers. Citizens are pleading with NAFDAC to launch an immediate, sustained investigation, not only to apprehend the individual in the viral video but to establish a robust system of inspection and oversight.

While some consumers demonstrated a simple home test involving water to detect dye leakage, others cautioned that this DIY method is not fully reliable against the highly oil-soluble lipophilic dyes used by adulterers. This ambiguity underscores the critical need for government intervention, placing the onus on regulatory bodies to secure the health of the Nigerian public against dangerous food practices.