The House of Representatives has called for a nationwide crackdown on fake, adulterated, counterfeit and substandard food and beverages, warning that their circulation poses serious risks to public health.
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to make food safety a national priority and strengthen enforcement against manufacturers and distributors involved in producing or selling unsafe products.
They also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to work with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, state governments and other relevant agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement.
The House made the call following a motion presented by the Chairman of its Committee on Police Affairs, Abubakar Maki Yalleman
Reps seek stronger inspections and enforcement
The lawmakers called for increased inspections, product sampling, laboratory testing and enforcement operations targeting manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers suspected of dealing in unsafe food and beverages.
They also directed relevant House committees to investigate the scale of the problem and assess the effectiveness of existing measures to combat fake and substandard food, drinks and drugs.
The committees are expected to submit their findings within four weeks to guide further legislative action.
The House further called for periodic reviews of the progress made by relevant agencies, with the aim of improving accountability and strengthening efforts to protect consumers.
Fake food products pose public health risks
Presenting the motion, Yalleman said access to safe and quality food and beverages was essential to Nigerians’ health, well-being and productivity.
He described food safety as a critical component of public health and consumer protection, noting that proper food processing and hygiene practices could prevent illnesses caused by harmful bacteria, chemical residues, expired ingredients and physical contaminants.
The lawmaker warned that some manufacturers and distributors allegedly counterfeit established brands, alter product labels and expiry dates, use inferior or contaminated raw materials, and illegally reuse or refill containers.
According to him, such practices could expose consumers to poisoning, foodborne illnesses and other serious health complications, including damage to vital organs.
Yalleman expressed particular concern about the potential impact on children, older people and other vulnerable groups.
Lawmakers cite enforcement operations
The lawmaker referenced previous enforcement operations as evidence of the need for sustained action against counterfeit products.
These included NAFDAC’s reported dismantling of illegal alcohol counterfeiting operations at Zamfara Plaza on Lagos Island on April 22, 2026, and a raid by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on an illegal, unregistered fruit juice factory in Badagry, Lagos State, on September 22, 2026.
He said the continued circulation of fake and substandard products despite the presence of regulatory and law enforcement agencies underscored the need for better coordination, stronger market surveillance and timely prosecution of offenders.
Reps call for better coordination among agencies
Yalleman noted that NAFDAC regulates food and bottled water, while the FCCPC has responsibilities relating to consumer protection. SON also plays a role in setting and enforcing applicable standards.
He said misleading product information, including falsified production dates, expiry dates, batch numbers, manufacturers’ details and ingredient lists, remained a concern.
Although existing laws provide a framework for addressing unsafe products, he argued that stronger implementation, improved cooperation among agencies and greater public awareness were necessary to tackle the problem effectively.
The proposed crackdown is intended to strengthen oversight across the food and beverage supply chain and improve the safety of products available to Nigerian consumers.
The House’s call seeks stronger regulatory action, but the report does not indicate that a new nationwide enforcement operation has already been launched.
