When Roberta Edu-Oyedokun, founder of Moppet Foods, began producing the cereal line, one of the variants, Moppet Nutmeal, included peanut as a core ingredient. In the early days, everything was simple. With a regular kitchen blender, she could blend grains and peanuts together without any problem. But as demand grew and production increased, the blender could no longer meet the needs of a larger operation.
A more powerful grinder was purchased. However, it still could not blend peanuts together with the grains effectively. After consulting an expert, a locally fabricated peanut grinder was recommended. The machine arrived looking clean and professionally built, and during testing it appeared to work perfectly. The peanuts were ground smoothly and incorporated into the cereal base without issue. Everything seemed fine until the lab results returned.
The test result was shocking. Moppet Nutmeal showed dangerously high levels of metal contamination, especially iron filings. Multiple retests confirmed the problem. Only the peanut variant failed. This led to a breakdown of the entire production process and each ingredient was tested separately. The source of the contamination became clear when the peanuts, ground with the locally fabricated machine, showed the presence of metal particles. When they returned to grinding peanuts with a regular kitchen blender, the contamination disappeared completely.
This discovery forced a difficult decision. The company discarded the locally fabricated grinder, even though it had cost over ₦400,000, because consumer safety must always come first. Shortly afterward, it became clear why this had happened. NAFDAC does not approve these types of grinders for manufacturers because they can release metal particles into food.
What is even more alarming is that these machines are found everywhere in Nigeria. They are used daily in markets, roadside shops, restaurants, bukas, small food businesses and even in some factories. Every day, millions of Nigerians unknowingly consume food prepared with these machines. This means they are ingesting iron filings and heavy metals without knowing it.
The health risks are real and severe. Long term consumption of metal contaminated food is linked to liver and kidney damage, heart complications, neurological disorders, developmental problems in children and even cancer. Pregnant women and children are at even greater risk. Despite this, manufacturers are restricted from using such machines while ordinary consumers remain fully exposed and unprotected.
Consider the woman who grinds tomatoes in a busy market. She may serve more people in one day than some factories do in a whole week. Yet she works without regulation, inspection or awareness of the potential danger inside her machine.
This issue came up again recently when Roberta Edu-Oyedokun visited a local peanut butter producer and discovered the same type of grinder being used. She has begun assisting them in acquiring a stainless steel grinder, which is far safer, but this only highlights a much larger national problem.
NAFDAC needs to urgently regulate the fabrication, sale and public use of local food grinders in Nigeria. Machine standards must be enforced, fabricators must be monitored and Nigerians must be informed about the danger of metal contamination in food.
Until then, families must take responsibility for their own safety. Reduce reliance on roadside and market grinding services for sensitive foods like peanuts. Use home blenders, support vendors who use stainless steel equipment and always ask how your food is processed. Health is wealth, and no one is wealthy enough to afford illnesses that affect essential organs.
This publication is to raise awareness, not to create fear. Protect your family. Your health remains your most valuable asset.
Edited by Bola Babarinde
