FIIRO unveils stainless steel grinding machine to tackle metal contamination in food
The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), has designed and fabricated a stainless steel multipurpose commercial pepper grinding machine to address growing concerns over heavy metal contamination in processed
The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), has designed and fabricated a stainless steel multipurpose commercial pepper grinding machine to address growing concerns over heavy metal contamination in processed food across Nigeria.
The Institute, in a document made available to The Nation, noted that the newly developed machine is an all-in-one food milling system equipped with accessories for both dry and wet milling operations.
According to the document, it is designed to significantly reduce the presence of heavy metals in commonly ground food items such as melon seeds, pepper, tomatoes, and other staples widely consumed by Nigerians.
FIIRO’s intervention followed mounting evidence that locally fabricated grinding machines used in open markets are major sources of heavy metal contamination. These machines, often poorly maintained, have been found to leach metals such as iron, zinc, lead, and cadmium into food during processing, posing serious long-term health risks.
Alarmed by the rising levels of contamination and its attendant health consequences, FIIRO documented high concentrations of heavy metals in ground food products and initiated research to develop a safer alternative. The outcome is the stainless steel pepper grinding machine, which uses non-corrosive materials to eliminate metal contamination during food processing.
Advertisement
300x250
The institute is now at the commercialization stage and is set to transfer the technology to indigenous fabricators for mass production in line with strict safety specifications.
READ ALSO; APC mobilises support for Tinubu’s re-election at Lagos rally
As part of the technology transfer process, FIIRO will issue licences and blueprints with clear material requirements, particularly the use of Grade 304 and 316 stainless steel, to ensure that mass-produced machines maintain the original safety standards.
In addition, FIIRO has developed detailed technical manuals to guide artisans through the fabrication process, with emphasis on non-corrosive surfaces in food-contact areas. The research has been patented, reinforcing its originality and public health significance.
Although regulating grinding practices in Nigeria’s largely informal open markets remains a challenge, FIIRO believes that strong partnerships with government institutions and other stakeholders can make large-scale adoption possible. Under such collaborations, standardized machines could be produced and distributed to local market grinders nationwide.
In line with its mandate on research and development in food and agro-allied processing equipment, FIIRO has expressed readiness to document all grinding machines in Nigerian markets and to partner with the National Assembly, the Office of the Wife of the President, and other key stakeholders.
Advertisement
300x250
The initiative would also cover fabrication, mass distribution, monitoring, and maintenance of safer grinding machines.
The renewed focus on food safety follows an opinion published by a daily newspaper in December 2025, which warned about the dangers of food processing machines laden with heavy metals.
The article noted that many grinding machines in Nigeria contain dangerously high levels of iron and zinc, capable of causing progressive organ damage over time. Poor maintenance practices were identified as a major factor contributing to the contamination of food consumed daily by millions of Nigerians.
Experts have also pointed to low consumer awareness and weak regulatory enforcement as factors that have worsened the problem, turning it into a public health concern requiring urgent attention.
Heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) occur naturally in the environment and contribute to ecosystem balance.
Advertisement
300x250
However, due to their non-degradability and tendency to bioaccumulate, excessive concentrations have contaminated the food chain, posing toxicity risks to humans.
Studies have shown that ground pepper, egusi, tomatoes, and other food products in Nigeria contain heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic, with contamination levels in some cases exceeding standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), particularly in high-traffic and industrial areas.
A comprehensive assessment conducted by FIIRO scientists in 2013 revealed the presence of heavy metals such as lead, copper, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and manganese, alongside non-heavy metals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron, in locally fabricated grinding machines used for processing tomatoes, pepper, and onions in Lagos.
With Nigeria recording increasing cases of cardiovascular diseases and organ failure, even among young adults, FIIRO’s stainless steel grinding machine is being positioned as a practical solution to reduce exposure to toxic metals and improve public health outcomes nationwide.
