The FCCPC has warned Nigerians about substandard, unregistered sugar products in the market, including smuggled Brazilian brands like Grupo Moreno. These products lack mandatory Vitamin A fortification and proper labeling, posing health risks. The FCCPC is investigating these products' economic and safety impacts on consumers and local producers.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised an alert over the circulation of substandard sugar brands in Nigerian markets. The commission’s investigation revealed that several smuggled sugar products from Brazil, including brands like Grupo Moreno, Terous, and USI S. Joao, do not comply with Nigerian regulations. Notably, these products lack the mandatory fortification with Vitamin A, an essential nutrient for vision and immune health. The absence of this fortification poses serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women, increasing the chances of blindness and infections.
In addition to health concerns, the FCCPC found that the sugar products lacked proper labeling, including production and expiration dates, batch numbers, and registration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). These irregularities further highlight the substandard nature of the products, which also disrupt the local sugar market.
The commission expressed concern about the economic effects of these smuggled products, as they manipulate market prices and create unfair competition for local manufacturers who adhere to quality standards. The widespread smuggling of these products through porous borders from neighboring countries like Cameroon and Benin Republic has made enforcement challenging.
The FCCPC has warned that these substandard imports undermine Nigeria’s sugar industry, jeopardize public health, and erode consumer confidence. The commission has called for stricter measures to tackle the issue, protect consumers, and ensure fair competition in the Nigerian market.
