The Director General of the Consumer Protection Council, Imo State, Dr Obioma Okafor, has warned residents against the purchase and consumption of unlabeled and unregistered products in the marketplace.
Okafor warned that such products without proper identification pose serious risks to consumers’ health and safety.
She made the call on Wednesday after a tour of some markets in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The Imo CPC DG lamented over the increasing presence of goods without proper identification, saying such products pose serious risks to consumers’ health and safety.
Okafor said items without clear labels, manufacturing details, or regulatory approval should not be trusted, as their origin and quality remain unknown.
She said, “Consumers must be cautious. Any product without proper labelling or registration details should be avoided. Your safety must always come first.
“Properly labelled products provide essential information such as ingredients, usage instructions, manufacturing and expiry dates, which help consumers make informed decisions before consumption.
“Other details to look out for include clear product name and manufacturer details, NAFDAC registration number (where applicable), manufacturing and expiry dates, as well as proper packaging and seal,” she said.
The CPC boss warned that patronage of unregistered goods encourages illegal practices and undermines standards in the marketplace.
She appealed to traders to ensure that they only deal in products that meet regulatory requirements, stressing that failure to comply will attract sanctions.
Okafor reaffirmed CPC’s commitment to protect consumers and ensure that only safe and approved products are circulated in Imo State.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the circulation of substandard and unregistered products in markets across Nigeria, particularly in urban centres like Owerri.
Regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and consumer protection bodies have repeatedly cautioned against the health risks posed by fake and improperly labelled goods.
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