Local Markets Flooded with Toxic Powdered Charcoal and Poisonous Dye Additives

By Elizabeth Adegbesan

In Nigeria’s current economic climate, the drive to increase profits has led some spice merchants to adulterate everyday kitchen staples with harmful additives.

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Items that are normally sold in their pure form—such as egusi, pepper, pepper soup spices, turmeric powder, and ginger powder—are now being contaminated with dangerous substances.

Economy & Lifestyle reports that even fresh tomato paste is being tainted with industrial powdered colour.

Traders mix ground pepper with rejected plant husks and finely milled wood charcoal to mimic authenticity and inflate product volumes for higher profit.

This practice, which was uncommon in previous years, has been driven by economic hardship and reduced purchasing power.

For merchants, these non‑food additives mask low‑grade produce and deceive consumers.

Witnesses at grinding points in several markets noted that traders gather inexpensive, low‑quality, or rejected components—such as rotten chilli seeds, fibrous plant straws, dried pear leaves, and starch powder—to blend with food staples.

Although the resulting mixture is a dull, unappetizing brown powder, traders deliberately add hazardous additives to enhance its appearance.

An apprentice, who wished to remain anonymous, explained: “To increase volume, we finely crush wood charcoal or cheap starches and grind them directly into the pepper, then package the mixture as Cameroon pepper.”

“Wood charcoal acts as an ideal filler because it blends seamlessly into dry spice matrices,” the apprentice added. “However, it gives the mixture an unnatural dark shade.”

“To correct this and create an appealing visual appearance of freshness and potency, we inject industrial powdered colouring and chemicals like Sudan IV red dye. This artificial enhancement makes the final mixture look premium, like highly valued bright red pepper powder.”

Public health officials have warned of the severe long‑term dangers posed by these everyday foods, but market vendors argue that high operating costs leave them with few alternatives.

Mr. Musa Fiditi, a bulk spice and pepper grinder, said: “As we all know, the prices of dry chilli pepper and spices have tripled, and the cost of living has eaten deep into the profits and capital of sellers.”

“Consumers are also forced to buy cheaper, bulk items to cut costs. When they refuse to pay the real price for pure pepper, some traders blend it with charcoal dust, chaff, and dye powder to meet demand and survive. It makes the sack look full, heavy, and beautifully red.”

Consumers, however, feel cheated and worry about their health.

Mrs. Chidiebere Njoku, a pharmacist, said: “You buy pepper thinking it will spice your food, but it leaves an unnatural red stain on your fingers and tastes like ash.”

“We are paying hard‑earned money to feed our families with slow poison,” she added. “Since I noticed this increase in adulterated foodstuffs in the market, I invested painstakingly in a high‑quality blender for powdered pepper and spices, and this has been helping me monitor what my family consumes.”

Mrs. Nimot Bello, a bulk spice seller, said: “Recently, our procurement team went to the market to source bulk powdered spices and pepper to cut costs and save time on blending.”

“To our surprise, we discovered that charcoal was mixed with chilli pepper seed and packed as Cameroon pepper for Nigerians.”

“That day, I ordered a very large grinding machine and started processing my spices and grinding pepper myself.”

Dr. Elizabeth Badmus, a laboratory scientist, noted that what traders see as a smart economic shortcut is a major public health emergency.

“Industrial dyes and charcoal produced from unknown wood sources are contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals. They do not digest,” she said. “They accumulate inside the liver and kidneys, causing quiet, long‑term destruction.”

She advised shoppers to test their spices by dropping a small spoonful of powdered pepper into a glass of clean water.

“Pure pepper powder floats briefly or leaves clean, natural particles,” she explained. “Conversely, adulterated versions containing heavy mineral dyes or artificial powder colorings sink immediately, leaving distinct, bright artificial chemical streaks down the sides of the glass.”

Vanguard News

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