Lagosians warned against use of rusty, poorly fabricated pepper-grinding machines

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, has warned operators of pepper and mill grinding machines across the state against using rusty, corroded and poorly fabricated equipment, saying such machines could contaminate food and pose health risks to consumers.

In a statement on Monday, the agency also urged operators to replace traditional cast-iron and unsuitable locally fabricated machines with stainless-steel and other appropriate food-grade equipment.

The General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, Esq., gave the warning following concerns raised at the Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition 2026.

The conference was held under the theme, ‘From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere’.

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 necessary.

“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,” Solebo said.

LASCOPA said it would intensify compliance checks at food-processing and grinding points across Lagos State as part of efforts to ensure that operators meet required food-safety standards.

The agency’s Monitoring and Enforcement Officers will carry out the checks, with appropriate regulatory action to be taken against establishments found using unsafe or unsuitable equipment.

Solebo also advised operators to clean their machines thoroughly after every use and remove food residues that may remain on the equipment.

He urged them to maintain clean surroundings and ensure that grinding components are regularly inspected and properly maintained to prevent contamination and cross-contamination.

The LASCOPA boss further called on consumers to be careful when patronising grinding points, advising them to avoid locations where machines are visibly damaged, deteriorated or unhygienic.

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

Solebo stressed that protecting consumers is a shared responsibility and assured Lagos residents that LASCOPA would continue its consumer education, market surveillance and enforcement activities.

He said the agency’s efforts were aimed at protecting the health, safety and economic interests of residents across the state.

The General Manager called on the public to report unsafe or unhygienic food-processing practices to LASCOPA for investigation and necessary action, urging consumers to speak up whenever they encounter practices that could put their safety at risk.