The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to strengthen efforts to curb the production and sale of counterfeit, adulterated and substandard food and beverages across Nigeria.
The lawmakers warned that the circulation of unsafe consumable products posed serious health risks to Nigerians, including poisoning, cancer and damage to vital organs.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Abubakar Yalleman, who represents Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, during plenary on Tuesday.
Presenting the motion, Yalleman stressed that access to safe and quality food was essential to the health, well-being and productivity of citizens.
He expressed concern over the activities of illegal manufacturers and distributors who allegedly counterfeit established brands, manipulate expiry dates, use contaminated raw materials and operate unregistered production facilities.
The lawmaker cited the April 22, 2026, operation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, which dismantled an alleged counterfeit alcohol syndicate at Zamfara Plaza on Lagos Island.
He also referenced a September 22 raid by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on an illegal fruit juice factory in Badagry, Lagos State.
Yalleman warned that such activities exposed consumers to potentially life-threatening conditions.
“The increasing circulation of fake and substandard food and drinks is a very disturbing development which calls for more legislative and executive actions,” he said.
He acknowledged the roles of NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, in regulating products and protecting consumers.
However, he called for stronger enforcement of existing regulations, improved collaboration among relevant agencies and more effective monitoring of the food and beverage supply chain.
The House subsequently urged the Federal Government to treat the production and distribution of counterfeit and unsafe consumable products as a matter of urgent national importance.
It also called on NAFDAC, SON and FCCPC, working with the police, Nigeria Customs Service, state governments and other relevant bodies, to step up nationwide inspections, laboratory testing and enforcement operations.
The lawmakers further mandated the relevant House committees, including those responsible for health, industry, customs, standards and consumer protection, to engage regulatory agencies and assess the scale of the problem.
The committees are expected to submit their findings to the House within four weeks to guide further legislative action.
The proposed measures are aimed at strengthening consumer protection and reducing the circulation of fake, adulterated and substandard food, beverages and drugs in the country.
