Reps move to tackle sale of fake, substandard food and drinks

2The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts against the production and sale of fake, adulterated and substandard food and beverages across Nigeria.

According to Vanguard, the resolution followed a motion sponsored by Abubakar Yalleman, representing Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, during Tuesday’s plenary.

Yalleman warned that counterfeit products, altered expiry dates and contaminated ingredients posed serious health risks, including poisoning, cancer and organ damage.

He said, “The House is disturbed that with the presence of NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC, the Police, NSCDC, the increasing circulation of fake and substandard food and drinks is a very disturbing development which calls for more legislative and executive actions.”

The lawmakers urged regulatory agencies to strengthen nationwide surveillance, inspections, laboratory testing and enforcement against offenders.

The House also directed relevant committees to investigate the scale of the problem and assess existing enforcement measures.

The committees must submit their findings within four weeks for further legislative action.