The Ondo State Government has destroyed a large quantity of adulterants seized from a cocoa merchant in Omiluri, Ondo West Local Government Area.
The substances, used to tamper with cocoa beans, were set ablaze on Thursday, May 22, as part of efforts to preserve the quality of cocoa produced in the state.
Segun Odusanya, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Forestry and Produce Division), ordered the burning of the 200kg bags of adulterants. He emphasized the government’s resolve to maintain the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s leading producer of high-quality cocoa.
“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is committed to ensuring that Ondo remains the top cocoa-producing state with unmatched quality,” Odusanya said. “Anyone caught engaging in such illegal practices will be prosecuted. We will seal off any store found with these substances, destroy the products, and take legal action against the offenders.”
Odusanya warned that continued incidents of cocoa adulteration could damage the state’s reputation both locally and internationally. “We must protect our image in the global cocoa market. Bad publicity will hurt us all,” he added.
He also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for approving the recruitment of 60 new staff to strengthen the monitoring of cocoa merchants. “These personnel will help prevent adulteration and ensure only quality cocoa leaves the state,” he noted.
Earlier, Tunji Akinnadeju, Director of Produce (DP3) in the Grading and Allied Department, disclosed that the adulterants were intercepted in Ireje, Ondo East Local Government Area. The merchant reportedly fled during the operation.
“Cocoa is sold by weight, so some unscrupulous merchants add these substances to increase profit. This damages the state’s reputation in international markets,” Akinnadeju said.
Sunday Adegbola, Director of Produce Licensing, warned that adulterated cocoa could pose health risks to consumers. “These chemicals may end up in chocolate and other products, posing serious dangers to human health. This malpractice stems from the high prices of cocoa on the international market, which benefit genuine farmers—not those using harmful additives,” he said.
Adegbola pledged that the ministry will not relent until Ondo State is completely free of cocoa adulteration.
