Watch out for substandard sugar in markets, FCCPC warns

The Federal Competitors and Shopper Safety Fee has alerted the general public to the circulation of substandard and unregistered sugar merchandise in Nigerian markets.

It said that the low-quality sugar, primarily smuggled from Brazil, poses vital well being dangers to customers and undermines the integrity of the nation’s native sugar trade.

In an announcement issued on Wednesday, FCCPC’s Director of Company Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, revealed that investigations uncovered a number of sugar manufacturers, together with Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S.Joao, Alvean, and Arapora Bionergia, which didn’t meet required well being and security requirements.

Ijagwu famous that these illegally imported manufacturers don’t meet the obligatory Vitamin A fortification necessities set by Nigerian authorities, doubtlessly placing customers prone to blindness and different well being issues.

“The merchandise, which didn’t meet obligatory Vitamin A fortification necessities, pose critical well being dangers to customers, undermine the integrity of the native sugar trade, and contribute to cost manipulation that harms the market,” Ijagwu mentioned.

FCCPC investigations throughout key areas, together with the South-West and North-East, revealed that the smuggled sugar merchandise lacked very important labelling data reminiscent of manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers, and, crucially, the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management registration numbers.

The fee added that this lack of correct labelling signifies the merchandise haven’t been examined for security, heightening dangers to Nigerian customers. It emphasised the significance of Vitamin A within the weight-reduction plan, notably for susceptible teams reminiscent of youngsters and pregnant girls.

“The absence of this fortification exposes Nigerian customers to critical well being dangers, together with blindness and elevated susceptibility to infections,” Ijagwu warned.

Past the well being dangers, the FCCPC expressed concern in regards to the financial impression of those illicit sugar merchandise.

It famous that sugar smuggling undermines honest competitors and locations native producers, who adjust to regulatory requirements, at a big drawback.

The company defined that the smuggling is reportedly facilitated via porous borders, notably from neighbouring international locations like Cameroon and the Benin Republic, complicating enforcement efforts and hindering traceability.

The FCCPC reassured the general public that it’s taking robust motion to handle the problem.

Shoppers have been urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious or substandard sugar merchandise to the FCCPC. Stories may be made by way of the fee’s e-mail at [email protected] or via its official social media channels.