BY BANKOLE BUKUNOLA MONSURAT
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has again called on all producers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in the food supply chain business to ensure all consumable food products being produced and sold to consumers are registered with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administrative Control (NAFDAC).
The agency also advocated for the inclusion and display of comprehensive and genuine information about consumable products at strategic places where such information can be easily seen.
The General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo made the call over the weekend during one of his unscheduled monitoring visits to some supermarkets and grocery stores around Lagos.
He said the call became necessary in light of the growing concerns about the presence and sales of unregistered, and lack of product information on most food and consumables products being circulated and sold in supermarkets and grocery stores across the state.
Solebo emphasised that the proliferation of some unregistered dairy products and their derivatives pose significant risks to public health and safety.
He called on supermarkets, restaurants, grocery stores, and other establishments selling products like Ice-Creams, Yoghurts and their derivatives, preformed tray foods, baking and bakery products, food-in-containers, dips, and spreads, parfait, chips, crisps, and drinks to exercise due diligence in ensuring their products are registered and contain detailed information such as the NAFDAC Number, Production and Expiry dates, in order not to inadvertently offer unsafe food to unsuspecting consumers.
He averred that LASCOPA feels pleased with the growth of businesses across the State but frowns at products that are disastrous to consumers’ health.
According to him, the agency does not intend to witch-hunt any business or entrepreneurs with genuine intentions but will not rest on its oars in ensuring that the interests of the consuming public are protected.