Why public analysts are moving against “unhealthy” food supplements

The Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) has commenced move against “unhealthy” food supplements, saying that there are several of them being marketed in the country. Food supplements are commonly consumed by the people in lieu of food. They are manufactured products intended to boost the diet when taken by mouth as a pill, […]

The Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) has commenced move against “unhealthy” food supplements, saying that there are several of them being marketed in the country.

Food supplements are commonly consumed by the people in lieu of food. They are manufactured products intended to boost the diet when taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid.

IPAN expressed concern over proliferation of food supplements in the country with many people unaware about their microbial content. It advised members of the public to be wary of consuming supplements which could jeopardize their health.

At the IPAN Business Network Breakfast Series (IBNBS) with theme, ‘Benefits of Nutritional Supplements/Additives- Analytical Guide for Manufacturers and Consumers’, chairman of the institute, Mr. Francis Iruobe, who was represented by Mr. William Onwuka, revealed that some foreigners were also importing supplements which they could not  consume in their countries.

The interactive session was to sensitize professional public analysts, known as Testing Laboratory Analysts, responsible for analyzing consumer and health-related products as well as manufacturers on improving the quality of supplements and food additives in the country.

According to him, “some of them that come from China can be very terrible because we don’t know the sources; we don’t know the herbs, they are not indigenous to us. We don’t know what other organisms they use but people are being propelled to make money out of marketing the supplements that would present a very huge risk to our populace.”

He said: “Public analysts are highly competent and professional in ascertaining the quality of food, drugs.

“So in our laboratories we test these components to determine the content, to determine the effectiveness; that what the manufacturers claim that they are is actually what they are.”

According to him, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has a responsibility to be more alive to its duties of ensuring the quality of food and drug items being marketed in the country.

“So as we meet today, hearing from three different people – the professional or dietician who would tell us the value of the supplements and then we would now hear from the professional analysts who would now tell us the means and protocols that are used in testing them,” he said.

The registrar said the organization was putting more effort in the eradication of fake food items and drugs in the country. He noted that product faking has become rampant in the country and assured that the institute would strive to stamp out quackery from the profession.

Kukoyi Ebunoluwa in her presentation, said despite having a role in the health of some individuals, not all supplements are useful for everybody. In fact, for some people, it is not advisable to take certain supplements, in particular high dose, she said.