Imo Assembly to stop circulation, consumption of expired products

Worried by the health implications caused by the intake of expired products, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Imo State Government and other relevant agencies to sensitize consumers on the need to be conscious of checking product expiry dates before purchase and consumption for enhanced and improved health of Imo residents.

This was the outcome of the Motion on Tuesday 25th February 2025, during Plenary, which was Chiefly sponsored by the Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.

Moving the Motion, Hon Innocent Ikpamezie explained that many people are sick and unaware of the reason for their sickness, noting that they may have consumed expired products without knowing.

Hon Ikpamezie further explained that many expired products, such as packaged foods, drinks, drugs etc are in circulation and being displayed in shops, markets and supermarkets. He also noted that manufacturing companies print expiration dates on products packaging to give consumers indication when it is to be used.

Unfortunately, according to the Mbaitoli lawmaker, 80% of consumers of packaged food products in Imo State do not check expiry dates information before purchase from the markets and supermarkets.

This, according to him, has led to devastating health challenges to many residents in the state, after consuming such products.

Hon Ikpamezie, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Environment, stated that the outcome of consuming expired products has led to food poisoning, with wide spread of liver and kidney malfunctions in people, and symptoms like fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, including bacteria infections.

All these, according to the worried lawmaker, are life threatening.

The pragmatic lawmaker stated that in international shops, there are proper checks on products and their expiry dates, unlike what is obtainable in our locality.

He therefore called on his Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices to the life saving Motion.

The Motion which received majority support from Distinguished Honourable Lawmakers present, but with one dissenting voice, was seconded by the Chief Whip And Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, and was co-sponsored by the following lawmakers :

1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.

3. Hon Obinna Ambrose Egu.

4. Hon Ozioma Worship Ebonine.

5. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji.

6. Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum.

7. Hon Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam.

The following lawmakers supported the life saving Motion with commendable submissions :

1. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru-East).

2. Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).

3. Hon Prince Obinna Ambrose Egu, PhD (Ngor-Okpala).

4. Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum (Owerri-North).

5. Hon Engr Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano).

6. Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).

7. Hon Barrister Ikenna Martins Ihezuo (Orlu).

8. Hon Chief James Uba Esile (Onuimo).

9. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).

10. Hon Barrister Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu).

11. Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh (Obowo).

12. Hon Barrister Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha (Oru-West).

13. Hon Chief Ozioma Worship Ebonine (Njaba).

In their respective submissions, they appreciated the Chief sponsor for the Motion for bringing the consciousness of the people of the State on issues of expired products, and described expired products, such as packaged foods, drinks and drugs, as not only risky but worse than insurgency, as they are capable of killing an entire generation, if adequate cautions are not taken.

According to the supporting lawmakers, those who sell expired products, including fake products, should be punished with stiffer penalties.

Furthermore, They called on Relevant Agencies, including Regulatory Bodies, to interface with the House Committee On Commerce and Industry, towards finding lasting solutions

They however argued that the complacency of the drivers of some of the Agencies tend to worse the already bad situation.

The lone voice that opposed the Motion, Hon Sir Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal), did so only on the composition of the Motion.

He however agreed with the submissions of his Honourable Colleagues.

Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :

* Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge The Commissioners In Charge Of The Ministries Of Health, Environment, Information, The Consumer Protection Council ( Imo State) And National Agency For Food And Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC) To Collaborate And Sensitize Consumers On The Need To Be Conscious Of Checking Product Expiry Dates Before Purchase And Consumption For Enhanced And Improved Healthcare In The State.

The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to the Appropriate Quarters.

Written by Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha on Tuesday 25th February 2025

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