The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has cautioned operators of pepper and food-grinding machines across the state against using rusty, corroded or poorly constructed equipment, warning that such machines could contaminate food and pose risks to consumers.
The agency’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Afolabi Solebo, issued the warning in Lagos following concerns raised during the 2026 Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition.
The conference, themed “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,” focused on strengthening food safety practices across the state.
Solebo urged operators to move away from traditional cast-iron and unsuitable locally fabricated grinding machines and adopt stainless-steel or other food-grade equipment.
He noted that grinding machines are widely used by households, restaurants, food vendors, caterers, traders, hospitals and boarding schools, making proper maintenance and hygiene essential to protecting public health.
According to him, worn-out, rusty or corroded components can introduce metal particles into food during processing. He also warned that dirt, grease and leftover food materials trapped inside poorly maintained machines could create additional contamination and hygiene concerns.
The LASCOPA chief stressed that food safety should be treated as a priority by everyone involved in food processing.
He disclosed that the agency’s Monitoring and Enforcement Officers would increase inspections at food-processing facilities and grinding points throughout Lagos. Businesses found operating with unsafe or inappropriate equipment could face regulatory action.
Solebo also advised machine operators to thoroughly clean their equipment after every use, remove food residues and maintain hygienic surroundings. Regular inspection of grinding components, he added, would help operators identify damaged or worn parts before they become a source of contamination.
Consumers were equally encouraged to pay attention to the condition of grinding machines before patronising operators, particularly when equipment appears rusty, dirty or poorly maintained.
Solebo further appealed to politicians, organisations and individuals who provide grinding machines through empowerment initiatives to ensure that the equipment supplied meets food-safety standards, particularly by choosing stainless-steel and food-grade machines.
He described consumer protection as a shared responsibility involving regulators, business operators and members of the public.
Solebo assured Lagos residents that LASCOPA would continue its consumer-awareness campaigns, market monitoring and enforcement activities across the state. He also encouraged residents to report food-processing practices they consider unsafe or unhygienic for appropriate investigation.
