Christian bishops have told the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control that many churches lack the capacity to distinguish genuine anointing oil from counterfeit products, following the discovery of an illegal Goya Oil factory.
The bishops made the disclosure during an engagement with NAFDAC officials, saying fake anointing oil has found its way into churches because religious leaders often rely on external suppliers without the means to verify product authenticity.
They said the situation has exposed worshippers to health risks, as adulterated oil is sometimes packaged and marketed as sacred products for spiritual use.
NAFDAC officials said the agency recently uncovered an illegal factory producing and packaging counterfeit Goya Oil, a product widely used in homes and churches across the country. The agency warned that the fake oil could pose serious health dangers due to poor production standards and the use of unapproved substances.
According to the bishops, churches often assume that products sold openly in markets or supplied by distributors are safe, noting that clergy and church administrators are not trained to identify fake or substandard consumables.
They urged NAFDAC to intensify public awareness campaigns and extend regulatory education to religious institutions, while calling for stiffer penalties for those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit goods.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and urged consumers, including churches, to verify regulated products through the agency’s authentication platforms and report suspicious items.
The agency also warned that the misuse of unregulated oil, whether for cooking or religious purposes, could have long-term health consequences.
