FCCPC Identifies Sources of Substandard Sugar Smuggled into Nigeria, Warns Citizens

• The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has unearthed substandard sugar products in Nigerian markets
• The agency said the products were imported from Brazil and Arapora Bionergia and are unfit for consumption
• The commission stated that its operative conducted covert investigations nationwide, especially in the South-West and North-East

Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered Nigeria's substandard and unregistered sugar products.

Speaking on substandard sugar, the FCCPC, in a statement issued by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, disclosed that the low-quality sugar brands came from Brazil and Arapora Bionergia.

FCCPC uncovers areas where fake sugars are sold

He disclosed that the products failed to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification needs, posing severe health risks to consumers, undermining the integrity of the sugar industry and contributing to price manipulation.

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The commission stated that its operative conducted covert investigations nationwide, especially in the South-West and North-East.

The agency said the findings show many of the identified sugar products needed proper labelling, including production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and mandatory NAFDAC registration.

Nigerian producers under pressure

The statement said the absence of the fortification ingredients exposes Nigerians to serious health risks, including blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, particularly among children and pregnant women.

The New Telegraph reports that the FCCPC expressed worry about the products' economic effect, saying the influx of smuggled sugar undermines fair competition and places undue pressure on local producers.

According to the agency, importers of these substandard products manipulate prices, harming genuine producers and consumers.

It said smuggling via neighbouring countries further complicates law enforcement and hampers traceability.

Recently, the FCCPC clamped down on electricity distribution companies that request metre replacement money.

The FCCPC intervention led to Eko distribution, stating that metre replacement is free.

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FCCPC finally speaks on the solution to food price hike

Legit.ng previously reported that In response to the nationwide rise in food prices, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has advised Nigerians to be patient.

NAN reported that this was stated on Tuesday during an interactive session with traders at the Dawanau and Galadima markets in Kano.

Adamu Abdullahi, the acting executive vice chairman of the FCCPC, said that the government is making appropriate efforts to address the problem.

Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng

Source: Legit.ng