FCCPC EXPOSES FAKE SUGAR PRODUCTS IN NIGERIAN MARKETS. (PHOTO).

 FCCPC Exposes Fake Sugar Products in Nigerian Markets

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered a significant presence of substandard and unregistered sugar products in Nigerian markets, particularly in the Southwest and Northeast regions. 

FCCPC spokesperson Ondaje Ijagwu made the revelation in a statement on Wednesday, highlighting that the fake products include smuggled brands from Brazil, such as Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S. Joao, Alvean, and Arapora Bionergia. These products are primarily smuggled through Nigeria’s porous borders, notably from neighboring countries like Cameroon and Benin Republic.

The Commission warned that these counterfeit products fail to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification requirements, posing serious health risks to Nigerian consumers. "The substandard products not only threaten public health but also undermine the integrity of the local sugar industry and contribute to price manipulation, which harms the market," the FCCPC stated.

Following a tip-off, FCCPC operatives conducted investigations across the country, focusing on the Southwest and Northeast. Their findings revealed that many of the identified products lacked essential labeling information such as production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration. More concerningly, most of these products were not fortified with Vitamin A, a vital nutrient for vision, immune function, and overall health. The absence of fortification exposes Nigerian consumers, particularly vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women, to serious health risks, including blindness and heightened susceptibility to infections.

The FCCPC also emphasized its ongoing efforts to engage with industry stakeholders to enforce compliance with quality standards, protect local producers, and promote fair competition in the sugar market.