LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Consumers may soon see some products disappear from store shelves after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) ordered businesses to pull goods carrying incomplete or deceptive labels from the Nigerian market.
The latest directive targets manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers nationwide, following the commission’s discovery of products that allegedly failed to provide important information buyers need before making purchasing decisions.
In a public advisory signed by FCCPC’s management and published on its X account on Tuesday, the commission said some products lacked basic details such as expiry or best-before dates, batch numbers, manufacturer information, ingredients, allergen warnings and country of origin.
Rather than focusing only on incorrect wording, the regulator explained that its inspections and market surveillance operations had also uncovered goods carrying information it considered misleading or deceptive.
“Market surveillance, routine inspections, and quality assurance activities have revealed products bearing misleading or deceptive information, as well as products without production dates, expiry or best-before dates, batch numbers, manufacturer details, ingredient lists, allergen information, country of origin, and other mandatory labelling information,” the commission said.
The FCCPC stressed that proper labelling is more than a regulatory requirement because it allows consumers to assess what they are buying and make informed choices.
It warned that poorly labelled products could expose buyers to health, safety and financial risks.
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Acting on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, FCCPC also pointed to standards administered by regulatory bodies including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
With the warning now extending across the supply chain, businesses have been advised to check their stocks and take affected products off the market.
“Accordingly, the Commission directs all manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to immediately review their inventories and withdraw from sale any consumer goods that do not comply with applicable labelling requirements,” the advisory stated.
However, businesses that ignore the order could face regulatory action, the FCCPC warned.
For shoppers, the commission recommended checking labels before paying for products. It specifically cautioned consumers against goods with missing, unclear, altered or poor-quality labels, along with products making false or misleading claims.
The regulator also urged consumers to report suspected breaches through its official complaint channels.
The FCCPC maintained that it will continue nationwide market checks and enforcement operations with other regulatory agencies, signalling closer scrutiny of product labels as authorities seek to reduce risks faced by consumers.
