FCCPC raises alarm over substandard sugar in Nigerian markets

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised an alarm over the distribution of substandard and unregistered sugar products in Nigerian markets.

This alert was made in a statement released by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, emphasizing the risks posed by such products to consumer health and the local sugar industry.

According to the FCCPC, investigations revealed the presence of smuggled sugar brands, including Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S. Joao, Alvean, and Arapora Bionergia, which were brought into the country from Brazil. The statement noted that these products “failed to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification requirements,” which are critical for ensuring good vision, a strong immune system, and overall well-being.

The absence of fortification exposes consumers, particularly children and pregnant women, to serious health risks, including blindness and infections.

The FCCPC disclosed that its operatives conducted “discreet investigations” across various parts of the country, with a focus on the South-West and North-East regions. These investigations found that many of the sugar products lacked proper labeling, such as production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and registration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The FCCPC expressed concerns about the broader implications of these products, stating that “the influx of smuggled sugar undermines fair competition, placing undue pressure on compliant local producers who adhere to regulatory standards.”

The Commission also warned that price manipulation by importers of these substandard products harms genuine producers and erodes consumer trust in the market and also attributed the availability of these products to “smuggling, facilitated through porous borders, particularly from neighbouring countries such as Cameroon and the Benin Republic,” which it noted complicates enforcement efforts and hampers traceability.

In the statement, the FCCPC reassured Nigerians of its commitment to addressing the issue, saying, “consistent with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, it is taking decisive steps to address this issue.” The Commission announced plans to collaborate with agencies like NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance enforcement and surveillance, disrupt smuggling networks, and conduct follow-up inspections in the sugar market.

The FCCPC also highlighted its efforts to educate the public about the dangers of consuming substandard sugar products. It encouraged consumers to verify the authenticity of sugar products by checking for proper labelling, NAFDAC registration, and evidence of Vitamin A fortification.

Consumers were further urged to report any suspected substandard or unregistered sugar products to the FCCPC through its official email at contact@fccpc.gov.ng or its social media platforms.

The statement, signed by Ondaje, concluded with the FCCPC’s assurance of its resolve to “promote compliance with quality standards, protect local producers, and foster fair competition within the sugar market.”

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