The House of Representatives has stepped down a bill seeking to ban the production, importation, distribution and sale of unbranded and unfortified edible oils in Nigeria.

The decision followed a debate on the bill’s second reading, with lawmakers questioning the need for a new law when existing regulatory agencies already have the mandate to regulate food quality and safety.

The sponsor of the bill, Chike Okafor, said the proposed legislation was aimed at protecting Nigerians from the health risks associated with consuming unbranded and unfortified edible oils.

He said the bill would strengthen food fortification, improve local oil production through collaboration with research institutions and prescribe penalties for offenders.

However, several lawmakers argued that NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, already have the legal powers to regulate edible oils, while others warned that the bill could negatively affect small-scale local palm oil producers.

The House, therefore, stepped down the bill for further legislative consideration.