The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has warned that rising cases of organ failure and cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria may be linked to heavy metal contamination from locally fabricated food grinding machines.
Dr Jummai Adamu Tutuwa, Director General of FIIRO, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, 16 February 2026, citing research conducted by the institute over a decade ago.
According to Dr Tutuwa, a comprehensive assessment carried out by FIIRO scientists in 2013 found that locally made grinding machines used to process tomatoes, pepper, onions, melon seeds, and other food items in Lagos contained traces of heavy metals including lead, copper, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and manganese.
The study also detected non-heavy metals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron in contaminated food samples. Dr Tutuwa said prolonged consumption of food contaminated with these metals may contribute to increasing cases of cardiovascular diseases and organ failure, even among young adults.
She noted that contamination levels in some instances exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) safety standards, particularly in areas with heavy traffic and industrial activities.
Dr Tutuwa explained that heavy metals, though naturally occurring, become harmful due to bioaccumulation, non-degradability, and excessive concentration in the food chain. She described cadmium contamination as a serious ecotoxicological concern due to its widespread industrial use.
According to WHO, heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury cause neurological damage and kidney damage. Iron toxicity has been associated with depression, rapid and shallow respiration, coma, convulsion, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and cancer.
To address the challenge, FIIRO has designed and fabricated a stainless steel pepper grinding machine to reduce contamination risks. The multipurpose commercial machine is equipped with accessories capable of both dry and wet milling food processing operations.
The institute also plans to collaborate with the National Assembly, the Office of the First Lady, and other stakeholders to promote safer alternatives through mass production, distribution, monitoring, and maintenance of the new machines.
Dr Tutuwa stressed that stronger regulation, enforcement, and public awareness are essential to curb contamination and reduce the burden of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and organ failure nationwide.
She said FIIRO plans to document all grinders operating in Nigerian markets and partner with government agencies and key stakeholders to drive the fabrication and distribution of the new stainless steel machines to local market grinders.
The institute has patented its research on heavy metal contamination in locally fabricated grinding machines. FIIRO officials acknowledged that achieving regulation of grinding with standardized equipment in open Nigerian markets remains challenging but expressed optimism that partnerships with government and stakeholders could facilitate the transition.
Local studies have shown that food contamination is on the increase in Nigeria. The 2013 FIIRO assessment tested pepper mix comprising pepper, tomatoes, and onions purchased from 50 different markets in and around Lagos.
The institute tested the newly designed stainless steel grinding machine and found that it eliminated metal contamination while improving the aesthetic quality of the equipment. FIIRO is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology established in 1956 following a World Bank economic mission observation that industrial research activities in Nigeria were diffused and uncoordinated.
The institute has developed over 250 research and development technologies and has completely packaged over 100 of them ready for immediate transfer to entrepreneurs and businesses.
