NAFDAC Finds Excess Pesticide Residues in Some Beans, Raises Fresh Concerns Over Food Safety in Nigeria

 

By Simpson Global Media News Desk

Nigeria’s food safety debate has intensified following a warning from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) that some samples of beans contained pesticide residues above permitted safety limits. The agency’s disclosure has renewed concerns about how agricultural chemicals are applied, how harvested food is stored and whether prohibited products are still reaching farms, markets and consumers.

The warning came during a media briefing in Lagos on October 9, 2026, where NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, discussed pesticide use in agricultural produce and outlined enforcement efforts against banned, unregistered, falsified and improperly used agrochemicals. The agency said a recent market study detected residues of pyrethroids and dimethoate above applicable safety limits in some bean samples. 

The findings do not establish that every bag of beans sold in Nigeria is contaminated. The publicly reported information does not provide the total number of samples tested, the locations from which they were collected or the exact residue concentrations measured. These details are important for determining the scale of the problem and identifying where additional testing and enforcement may be required. (Okay News; Pharmacy Times Nigeria)

Nevertheless, the regulator’s warning highlights a food safety issue that reaches beyond one agricultural commodity. Beans are an important source of protein for many Nigerian households and are widely sold in open markets, neighbourhood shops and larger food distribution outlets. Protecting consumers therefore requires attention to the entire journey from the farm to storage facilities, transportation networks, markets and household kitchens.

NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Chemical Residues

According to NAFDAC, the market study identified excessive residues of pyrethroids and dimethoate in some samples of beans. The agency warned that pesticide misuse can expose consumers, farmers and other people along the agricultural supply chain to harmful chemicals.

Adeyeye explained that pesticides remain important tools for protecting crops against insects and other pests. However, their use must comply with approved purposes, recommended quantities, application instructions and applicable safety requirements.

A pesticide authorised for use on a growing crop cannot automatically be used to treat harvested food during storage. That distinction is particularly important when farmers or traders attempt to protect stored beans against weevils and other pests that can damage produce after harvesting.

NAFDAC specifically stated that dimethoate was not approved for preserving harvested beans against storage pests. The agency also explained that certain pyrethroids may be used for post-harvest purposes under approved conditions, but users must observe the prescribed waiting periods and other instructions before the produce is consumed.

The distinction between authorised and unauthorised applications matters because agricultural chemicals are assessed and approved for particular uses. A product’s registration for one purpose does not provide blanket permission to apply it to every crop, at every stage of production or in any quantity.

The agency’s message was therefore not that pesticides should be eliminated from agriculture. Rather, it emphasised that chemical products must be used responsibly and in accordance with regulatory requirements to protect human health, food quality and the environment. 

Why the Beans Finding Matters

Beans occupy an important place in Nigeria’s food system. They are prepared in different forms, including cooked beans, bean cakes and steamed bean-based meals, and are also used in combinations with rice, maize, yam and other staples.

Because the commodity is consumed by people across different income groups, a potential food safety problem involving beans can have consequences for household budgets and consumer confidence. Families may have limited information about where their food was produced, which chemicals were applied during cultivation or how produce was treated before reaching a market stall.

Consumers generally cannot establish the presence or concentration of pesticide residues simply by examining the appearance of dry beans. Produce may look normal while requiring laboratory analysis to determine whether chemical residues are present and whether their levels comply with applicable limits.

This makes food monitoring and traceability essential. Regulatory authorities need reliable sampling procedures, laboratory capacity and mechanisms for responding when results identify food that does not meet safety requirements.

It is equally important to communicate the findings accurately. A report that some samples exceeded permitted limits should not be interpreted as proof that every bean product in the country is unsafe. At the same time, the limited information made public about the study means that consumers and industry stakeholders need further clarification about its scope, findings and any follow-up actions.

A transparent account of the number of samples tested, the sampling locations, the chemicals detected and the measured concentrations would help food safety professionals assess the findings more precisely. It would also make it easier to identify whether the problem is concentrated in particular markets, storage practices or supply chains. (Okay News; Pharmacy Times Nigeria)

How Improper Pesticide Use Can Create Risks

Pesticides are designed to control organisms that threaten crops, stored food and agricultural productivity. Their safe use depends on selecting an appropriate product, applying it correctly and following instructions that account for the crop, pest, dosage and timing.

Problems arise when users apply more than the recommended quantity, use a chemical on a crop or for a purpose for which it was not approved, mix products improperly or harvest produce before the required waiting period has elapsed.

NAFDAC identified these practices among the behaviours that can leave harmful residues in food. It also warned against using chemicals indiscriminately to protect harvested produce against pests.

When instructions are ignored, the amount of chemical remaining on or in food may exceed the applicable safety limit. The risk depends on the particular substance, the level of exposure, the duration and frequency of exposure, and other relevant factors. It is therefore not possible to determine an individual consumer’s health risk from the reported bean findings alone.

The agency warned that pesticide misuse can cause serious health problems, including death, and that some effects may not become apparent immediately. That warning reinforces the need to prevent unsafe chemical exposure rather than rely solely on action after food has entered the market.

Safe handling is also important for people who are not directly involved in farming. Workers who transport or store pesticides, traders who handle treated produce and households that keep chemicals near food may all face risks if products are improperly stored or used.

NAFDAC has consequently called for responsible practices throughout the agricultural value chain, rather than placing the entire burden on consumers after food has already reached the point of sale. 

Prohibited Agrochemicals Still a Regulatory Concern

The warning about pesticide residues came alongside details of NAFDAC’s enforcement operations against prohibited agricultural chemicals.

Adeyeye said the agency seized banned agrochemicals worth more than ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025. These operations formed part of efforts to remove prohibited products from circulation and prevent their use in agricultural production and food handling.

The agency also reported significant seizures in the North-West Zone. Between September 2024 and July 2026, enforcement operations resulted in the seizure, interception or recovery of 2,974 cartons of pesticides containing paraquat, with an estimated value of ₦148.7 million.

A further 120 cartons of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, valued at more than ₦17 million, were intercepted during the same period, according to the agency’s reported figures.

In a separate operation in Kebbi State, NAFDAC intercepted 5,619 cartons containing 67,428 litres of paraquat, together with 500 cartons of atrazine products.

The quantities illustrate the scale of the enforcement challenge described by the regulator. However, seizures alone do not establish how much of the prohibited stock may have reached farms or food markets. They show that enforcement teams have identified consignments requiring intervention, while the wider distribution network remains a matter for investigation and continued surveillance.

NAFDAC has also reported that four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities were sealed in Bichi, Kano State, in July 2026. The agency said officers found unlabelled products, bulk chemicals and packaging materials at the facilities. Suspects were arrested in connection with enforcement operations, and one case was reported to be undergoing prosecution. (Vanguard; Pharmacy Times Nigeria)

The reported cases point to several potential weaknesses that regulators must address: illegal importation, unauthorised production, distribution outside legitimate supply channels and continued demand for products that are prohibited or unsuitable for particular uses.

Paraquat, Chlorpyrifos and Atrazine Restrictions

NAFDAC said the phase-out periods for pesticide products containing paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine ended on January 1, 2026. Under the completed regulatory measures described by the agency, products containing the prohibited chemicals can no longer legally be manufactured, imported, distributed, sold or used in Nigeria.

The deadline is significant because a completed phase-out means businesses should not treat remaining supplies as ordinary stock that can continue to be traded or applied. Continued circulation after the applicable deadline creates an enforcement concern for regulators and a compliance obligation for manufacturers, importers, distributors and users.

The agency has attributed the continued presence of prohibited pesticides partly to illegal imports, unauthorised local production and distribution networks. It has warned that products can enter Nigeria through informal routes and cross-border channels, making cooperation between regulators and law enforcement authorities important.

Border surveillance is only one part of the response. Effective enforcement also requires inspections of warehouses, retail outlets and production facilities, checks on product registration and labelling, and the ability to trace suspicious consignments to their suppliers.

When prohibited chemicals are identified, authorities need procedures for securing the products, documenting the circumstances, investigating the supply chain and pursuing appropriate legal action. Clear communication about the restrictions is also necessary so that farmers and dealers understand which products are no longer permitted.

NAFDAC’s reported seizures and inspections show that enforcement activity is continuing. The longer-term measure of success, however, will be whether illegal products become harder to obtain and whether compliance improves throughout the supply chain. (Nigeria Info FM; Blueprint)

Unsafe Storage Practices Need Attention

Pesticide safety does not end when a product has been purchased. Storage, transportation, application and disposal can all influence the likelihood of accidental exposure or contamination.

NAFDAC has warned against keeping pesticides alongside food, animal feed or household items. Chemicals stored in poorly labelled containers or in places accessible to children can create avoidable hazards. The agency also cautioned against reusing empty pesticide containers for domestic purposes.

Empty containers may retain chemical residues even after the contents have been used. Reusing them for water, cooking ingredients or other household materials can create a route for exposure. Containers should therefore be managed and disposed of according to the product instructions and applicable safety requirements.

Improper disposal is another concern. Discarding pesticide residues or containers carelessly may expose people who handle waste and can contaminate surrounding areas. Farmers and dealers need practical guidance on safe storage and disposal, not merely general warnings against misuse.

Agricultural extension workers, agro-input dealers and other frontline advisers can help explain how products should be handled. Training should cover the meaning of labels, protective measures, correct application methods, restricted uses and what to do when a chemical is spilled or handled incorrectly.

The goal is to prevent avoidable exposure while allowing approved products to be used for legitimate agricultural purposes. A safety system that reaches rural communities and local markets is essential because national regulations have limited effect if users cannot obtain clear instructions or trusted advice. (Vanguard; Tribune Online)

NAFDAC Expands Training and Enforcement

Adeyeye said NAFDAC had trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers on responsible pesticide handling and application. Dealers play an important role because they are often among the first people farmers consult when selecting products to control crop pests or protect stored produce.

Training can help dealers recognise products that meet regulatory requirements, explain approved uses and discourage customers from applying chemicals in ways that could endanger food safety. It can also support compliance by improving the quality of advice available to farmers in areas where specialised agricultural services may be difficult to access.

The agency has also said it is expanding its investigation and enforcement zonal offices from three to six. The planned expansion is intended to improve regulatory coverage across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Greater geographical coverage could support more frequent inspections, quicker responses to reports of illegal sales and closer engagement with local authorities. Its practical impact will depend on staffing, laboratory support, funding, transport, information-sharing and the ability to follow investigations through to completion.

NAFDAC has also highlighted collaboration with law enforcement bodies and other government institutions. Such partnerships can be important when suspected violations involve cross-border movement, unauthorised manufacturing or complex distribution networks.

The agency’s enforcement programme includes product registration and scientific assessment, inspections of manufacturing and storage facilities, border checks, market surveillance, laboratory testing and action against illegal production or distribution. These activities are intended to address different points at which unsafe or prohibited chemicals can enter the supply chain. (Blueprint; Vanguard)

Why Laboratory Testing and Public Information Matter

The latest warning illustrates the importance of laboratory testing in food safety oversight. Appearance, smell and routine visual inspection cannot reliably determine whether a food sample contains pesticide residues above a permitted limit.

Testing helps regulators identify specific chemicals and compare measured concentrations with the relevant standards. When results show a violation, authorities can investigate the source, determine the extent of the problem and consider appropriate action.

For consumers, information about the results is just as important as the announcement that a problem has been detected. Details about the samples, chemicals and measured levels can help the public understand what the findings establish—and what remains unknown.

In the case of the recent beans study, publicly reported accounts did not provide the total number of samples examined, their precise collection locations or the concentrations found. Without these details, it is difficult to estimate the prevalence of non-compliant produce or determine whether the results point to a localised problem or a wider pattern.

The agency and relevant partners could strengthen public confidence by providing further information when it is available, while avoiding statements that go beyond the evidence. Clear communication can prevent both complacency and unnecessary panic.

Testing also needs to be connected to enforcement. If contaminated produce is identified, authorities need a practical means of tracing it through suppliers and markets, addressing the source and checking whether corrective action has worked. Repeated sampling can help determine whether the problem has been resolved or continues to recur.

NAFDAC’s reported commitment to surveillance, laboratory testing and public education therefore addresses important parts of the food safety process. Sustained investment and transparent reporting will be necessary to demonstrate the results of those efforts. (Okay News; Pharmacy Times Nigeria)

The Responsibilities of Farmers and Traders

Farmers are central to preventing pesticide residues from exceeding permitted limits. NAFDAC has urged them to purchase approved products from recognised agro-input dealers, follow label instructions, apply recommended quantities and observe the prescribed interval between pesticide application and harvesting.

Those instructions are not optional details. The product label sets out the conditions under which a pesticide may be used safely and lawfully. Applying a product to an unapproved crop or using it for post-harvest preservation when that use is prohibited can undermine the safety of the food supply.

Traders and storage operators also have responsibilities. They should obtain chemicals through legitimate channels and ensure that pesticides used in their operations are authorised for the intended purpose. They should not assume that a chemical suitable for use in the field is also suitable for treating harvested beans.

Manufacturers and importers must comply with registration requirements, while distributors and agro-input dealers should avoid supplying prohibited, unregistered or falsified products. Proper records and traceable supply arrangements can help regulators identify the origin of products when violations occur.

The responsibility is shared, but each participant has a different role. Farmers control how chemicals are applied on the farm; storage operators determine how produce is protected after harvest; traders manage handling and distribution; and manufacturers and importers are responsible for supplying compliant products.

Public education should make these distinctions clear. Farmers need practical alternatives for managing storage pests, while dealers need reliable information about approved products and regulatory changes. Enforcement is more likely to produce lasting results when the people expected to comply understand both the rules and the risks they are intended to prevent. (Vanguard; Nigeria Info FM)

What Consumers Can Do

Consumers cannot replace regulatory inspection or laboratory testing, but they can take sensible precautions when buying, storing and preparing food.

Households should purchase food from sources they consider reliable and avoid buying products that appear to have been stored or handled carelessly. However, consumers should understand that the appearance of beans alone cannot confirm whether pesticide residues are within permitted limits.

Beans should be stored in clean, appropriate food containers, away from pesticides and other chemicals. Food should never be stored in containers previously used for agrochemicals, even if those containers appear clean.

Consumers should follow established food hygiene practices, including removing visible debris and preparing beans appropriately before eating. Such steps support general food hygiene, but they should not be presented as a guaranteed method for removing pesticide residues that exceed safety limits.

Where authorities issue a specific product alert or recall, consumers should follow the official advice. They should also avoid spreading unverified claims that all beans from a particular state, market or supplier are contaminated unless reliable evidence supports that conclusion.

People who suspect that they have experienced a harmful chemical exposure should seek advice from a qualified health professional or an appropriate emergency service, particularly if symptoms are severe. They should not attempt to diagnose pesticide poisoning solely from a news report.

Ultimately, consumers need regulators and businesses to ensure that food placed on the market meets safety requirements. Personal precautions are useful, but they cannot substitute for effective surveillance, responsible pesticide use and action against non-compliant products. (Tribune Online; Okay News)

Food Safety and Agricultural Productivity

Nigeria’s food safety challenge must be addressed without losing sight of farmers’ need to protect crops and reduce post-harvest losses. Pests can damage produce in the field and during storage, threatening the quantity and quality of food available to households and markets.

That makes practical pest management an important part of the response. Farmers need access to approved products, reliable guidance and appropriate methods for protecting harvested produce. When safe and effective options are difficult to obtain, the temptation to use readily available but prohibited chemicals may become harder to counter.

Regulators, agricultural extension services, farmer organisations and private-sector suppliers can help by improving access to information about approved treatments and safe storage practices. Training should be designed around the conditions farmers face, including local pests, storage arrangements and the costs of adopting recommended methods.

The use of agricultural chemicals also has implications for environmental protection. NAFDAC has warned that improper storage, handling and disposal can endanger people and the environment. Preventing contamination therefore requires measures that extend beyond the immediate question of whether a food sample meets residue limits.

Responsible pesticide use can support agricultural production while reducing avoidable risks. The objective should be to ensure that farmers can protect their crops without exposing consumers or themselves to inappropriate chemical applications.

The beans findings offer a reminder that food security is not only about producing enough food. Food must also be safe, properly handled and subject to effective oversight from production through consumption. (Vanguard; Blueprint)

The Need for Continued Coordination

NAFDAC’s warning underscores the importance of coordination among regulators, farmers, agro-input dealers, food businesses and law enforcement agencies.

The agency has said it is working with relevant stakeholders, including industry groups such as CropLife, to strengthen public awareness and encourage safer pesticide practices. It has also emphasised cooperation with government institutions to identify illegal products and pursue enforcement action.

Such coordination is necessary because pesticide misuse can occur at several stages of the supply chain. A manufacturer may produce an unauthorised product, an importer may bring it into the country, a distributor may sell it outside legitimate channels, or a user may apply an otherwise approved chemical in a prohibited way.

Each situation requires an appropriate response. Investigators need to establish what happened, which rules apply and where responsibility lies. Effective action should distinguish between prohibited products and misuse of products that are otherwise approved for specific purposes.

Regulators also need to communicate changes in restrictions clearly. Farmers and dealers must be able to identify products that have been withdrawn or banned and understand the legal consequences of continuing to trade or use them.

NAFDAC’s reported expansion of enforcement offices and training for agro-input dealers may improve coverage, but progress will depend on implementation. Regular reporting on inspections, seizures, prosecutions, laboratory findings and corrective measures would help the public evaluate the impact of the programme.

The immediate concern is the reported detection of excessive residues in some bean samples. The broader challenge is building a system that prevents unsafe food and prohibited chemicals from repeatedly reaching Nigerian markets. (Nigeria Info FM; Pharmacy Times Nigeria)

What Happens Next?

The next steps will include sustained market surveillance, laboratory testing, public education and enforcement against illegal pesticide production and distribution, according to the measures outlined by NAFDAC.

Further details about the beans study would help clarify the scale of the findings. Information on sample numbers, collection points, residue concentrations and any subsequent investigations would provide a stronger basis for assessing the problem and determining whether targeted interventions are required.

The agency’s enforcement work will also need to address the prohibited chemicals it says are still circulating despite the end of their phase-out periods. Seizures can remove individual consignments, but preventing repeat violations requires action against the sources and distribution networks that supply them.

For farmers, the immediate message is to use only approved pesticides for authorised purposes and follow product instructions. For traders and dealers, it is to source chemicals through legitimate channels and avoid products that are prohibited or improperly labelled. For consumers, it is to rely on verified public health information rather than assume that all beans are contaminated or that visual inspection can establish safety.

NAFDAC has said it will continue enforcement and stakeholder engagement to protect consumers and the environment. The effectiveness of that commitment will be judged by whether illegal products become less accessible, unsafe practices decline and food monitoring provides clearer evidence that products sold to the public meet the required standards. (Vanguard; Tribune Online)

Protecting Public Health Requires Action Across the Food Chain

The discovery of pesticide residues above permitted safety limits in some bean samples is a serious warning, but it should be understood within the limits of the evidence made public. It does not establish that every bean product in Nigeria is unsafe, and further information is needed to assess the extent of the problem.

What the findings do demonstrate is the importance of preventing inappropriate pesticide use and ensuring that food safety rules are followed. The reported seizures of prohibited agrochemicals, enforcement operations and training initiatives show that the regulator is confronting challenges that extend beyond a single market study.

Sustained progress will require more than occasional seizures or public warnings. It will depend on effective inspections, credible laboratory testing, transparent communication, responsible agricultural practices and meaningful consequences for those who manufacture, import or distribute prohibited products.

It will also require practical support for farmers. They need accessible advice on approved pest-control methods and safe ways to protect produce during storage. Dealers need to understand their regulatory responsibilities, while consumers need accurate information that helps them make informed decisions without unnecessary alarm.

Food safety is a shared responsibility, but government regulators must provide the oversight and enforcement that individual households cannot deliver. Manufacturers, importers, distributors and farmers must comply with the rules governing the products they handle and the chemicals they use.

As NAFDAC continues its surveillance and enforcement efforts, the priority should be to establish the scale and sources of the contamination identified in the beans study, prevent further misuse and ensure that prohibited pesticides do not remain available through unauthorised channels.

For Nigerian consumers, the central message is clear: safe food depends not only on what happens in the kitchen, but also on responsible chemical use on farms, careful handling after harvest and effective monitoring before food reaches the market. Protecting that chain is essential to public health, consumer confidence and the long-term sustainability of the country’s food system.