Viral Fish Dye Video Sparks Fresh Food Safety Concerns in Nigeria

News in Brief:

— A video allegedly showing a trader adding red dye to frozen fish has sparked fresh concerns over food adulteration and food safety in Nigeria.

— The incident comes as the government warns that unsafe food causes nearly 50 million illnesses and over 53,000 deaths annually.

A viral video showing a woman allegedly applying red dye to frozen fish to make it appear fresh has reignited concerns over food safety in Nigeria. Many Nigerians are calling for stricter enforcement against food adulteration in local markets.

The video, shared by a Nigerian agricultural influencer with the caption, has attracted widespread reactions on social media. The influencer alleged that the woman deliberately coloured the fish to deceive buyers into believing it was freshly harvested. He called the act ‘heartless.’

Although the exact location of the incident has not been verified, the footage has triggered renewed public debate about unsafe food handling practices and consumer protection across Nigeria's informal food markets.

Many social media users expressed outrage over the alleged act, with several recounting personal experiences of purchasing spoiled frozen fish or encountering other forms of food adulteration. Others raised concerns that similar practices may extend to other food products commonly sold in open markets.

Incident Renews Focus on Food Adulteration

The incident comes at a time when food safety has become a major public health concern in Nigeria.

In June 2026, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed that unsafe food causes nearly 50 million illnesses and more than 53,000 deaths annually in the country. According to the ministry, foodborne diseases also result in approximately 4.26 million years of healthy life lost each year due to illness, disability and premature deaths.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, warned that children under the age of five account for more than 80 per cent of Nigeria's foodborne disease burden, making improved food safety standards a national priority.

Health authorities have also identified contaminated food, poor hygiene, unsafe storage practices and chemical hazards as significant contributors to foodborne illnesses across the country.

Government Says Food Safety Systems Improving

Despite the alarming disease burden, the Federal Government says Nigeria has made measurable progress in strengthening its food safety systems.

During the 2026 World Food Safety Day commemoration in Abuja, Dr Salako said Nigeria's 2025 State Party Annual Report (SPAR) Level 3 score places the country ahead of the World Health Organisation's food safety target for low- and middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the minister, the country now has stronger systems for detecting, reporting and responding to foodborne disease outbreaks through improved surveillance, laboratory confirmation, food recall procedures and coordination among relevant agencies.

He, however, stressed that much more work is needed, particularly in traditional and informal markets where most Nigerians purchase food. The government has called for stricter compliance with food safety standards, stronger monitoring of chemical contaminants, improved sanitation and greater public awareness on safe food handling.

The viral fish dye video has further highlighted the importance of consumer vigilance, with food safety advocates urging Nigerians to carefully inspect food before purchase, buy from reputable vendors where possible and report suspected cases of food adulteration to the appropriate regulatory authorities.