Sunday Iduh with agency report
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has alerted Nigerians to be vigilant as it has discovered the presence of substandard and unregistered sugar products in Nigerian markets.
The commission’s director of corporate affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, in a statement on Wednesday, said the products, which failed to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification requirements, pose serious health risks to consumers.
According to the statement, the products include smuggled brands from Brazil such as Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S. Joao, Alvean, and Arapora Bionergia.
Ijagwu disclosed that the substandard products is a threat to the integrity of the local sugar industry and contribute to price manipulation which is capable of impacting the market negatively.
“Acting on a tip-off, FCCPC operatives conducted discreet investigations across the country, particularly in the South-West and the North-East,” the statement reads.
“The investigations revealed that many of the identified sugar products lacked normal labeling, including production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and the mandatory National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration.
He lamented that most of the products lacked the necessary vitamins
“Even more concerning, most of the products were not fortified with Vitamin A, a critical nutrient essential for good vision, immune health, and overall well-being.
“The absence of this fortification exposes Nigerian consumers to serious health risks, including blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women”
He called on consumers to verify the authenticity of sugar products by ensuring they carry proper labelling, including NAFDAC registration and evidence of Vitamin A fortification.
Igagwu advised consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspected substandard or unregistered sugar products to the commission through the commission’s email: contact@fccpc.gov.ng, or its official social media channels.
