Identify, Punish Culprits Involved in Production Of Fake Goods – Reps Charge NAFDAC, SON

Following the increasing circulation of substandard goods in the country, the House of Representatives has charged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to intensify efforts to identify culprits involved in the production or distribution of counterfeit goods and fully punish them according to the law.

This is as the House urged them to establish more efficient channels in every state and local government to verify and monitor products before circulation.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Circulation of Fake Consumables in Nigeria” sponsored by Hon. Ahmed Sani Muhammad.

Speaking on the motion during plenary on Tuesday, the House tasked the agencies to regularly engage and sensitize consumers on digital codes or icons that indicate the authenticity of their products.

It also madanted the committees on the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation of the motions adopted.

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The House noted that in the fourth quarter of 2023, Nigeria experienced an insurgency involving daily patronage of fake consumables such as drinks, drugs, cooking spices, beverages, and baby food.

This, it said, caused health issues and discouraged local manufacturers and importers of genuine products in the country.

The House said it was aware that in December 2023, NAFDAC intercepted counterfeiters involved in the production of consumables worth about seven hundred and fifty million Naira.