Reps seek tougher sanctions against fake food producers, adulterated drink dealers

The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to intensify its crackdown on the production and sale of fake, adulterated, and substandard food and beverages across the country.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement, Hon. Makki Yalleman, in response to growing concerns over the widespread circulation of counterfeit food products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and other consumables capable of endangering public health.

“The House is also concerned that some unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors engage in practices such as counterfeiting established brands, altering labels and expiry dates, using inferior or contaminated raw materials, illegally reusing or refilling containers, and producing food and beverages outside approved regulatory standards thereby posing severe life-threatening public health risks, including acute poisoning, cancer and damages to vital organs like kidney, lung, liver, heart, etc,” he decried.

To underscore the seriousness of the situation, the House cited recent enforcement operations, including the dismantling of an illegal counterfeit alcohol syndicate at Zamfara Plaza on Lagos Island by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on April 22, 2026.

The lawmakers also recalled the discovery of an illegal, unregistered fruit juice factory in Barakali, Lagos State, by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on September 22, 2026, describing such incidents as evidence of the need for more effective monitoring and enforcement.

The House expressed concern that some manufacturers and distributors allegedly falsify product labels and expiry dates, use contaminated raw materials, and refill containers, exposing unsuspecting consumers to food poisoning and other potentially life-threatening health conditions.

The lawmakers stressed the need for stronger collaboration among NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies to dismantle networks involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit products.

Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmed Satome, called for stronger regulatory measures and coordinated national surveillance to check the circulation of counterfeit, adulterated, and contaminated food and beverages in Nigeria.

While lamenting that the sale of substandard products poses a serious threat to public health, consumer protection, and national security, he warned that unsafe food products could cause serious illnesses, long-term health complications, and death.

The lawmaker noted that counterfeit and contaminated products continue to find their way into markets, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and other distribution channels, putting the lives of unsuspecting Nigerians at risk.

He therefore urged the House to move beyond routine regulation to preventive measures, coordinated national surveillance, and the adoption of technology to improve the detection of substandard food, beverages, and drugs entering the country.

He stressed that food safety should be treated as a matter of protecting human life, calling for stronger collaboration among relevant agencies to safeguard consumers.

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Contributing to the motion, Hon. Ibe Osonwa urged regulatory authorities to strengthen enforcement and ensure that the digital product authentication system known as the Green Book is fully functional.

The lawmaker expressed concern that the system, designed to provide a digital database of manufacturers and producers and enable consumers to verify product authenticity, was reportedly not performing its intended role effectively.

Osonwa further cited reports of counterfeit and unsafe products ranging from infant formula and adulterated water to toothpaste, vegetable oil, and sanitary products, warning that the problem extends beyond food and beverages to other essential consumer goods.

Consequently, the House mandated the joint Committees on Health, Industry, Customs, Standards, and Consumer Protection to engage regulatory agencies, assess the scale of the problem, evaluate the effectiveness of existing enforcement measures, and submit their findings and recommendations to the House within four weeks to guide further legislative action.